Biomoléculas Vegetais: Associando Estrutura Química, Evidências Experimentais e Função Biológica para Compreensão do Metabolismo Secundário das Plantas

Resumo

Biology and chemistry share many interconnected topics that could be studied together to enhance the understanding of processes. Considering an intuitive approach and establishing connections between classroom content and students’ daily experiences generate interest and motivation in the teaching–learning process, especially when dealing with micro- or submicroscopic concepts that require a high degree of abstraction and the mobilization of different concepts. With this in mind, an Investigative Didactic Sequence on plant secondary metabolites was developed with the aim of fostering the perception of biochemistry applied to plant metabolic processes in a contextualized manner. Through an investigative approach, it enables the understanding of biomolecule properties and the association of chemical structure, experimental evidence, and biological function, thereby bringing scientific knowledge closer to the daily lives of high school students. During the experimental class, students performed experiments that demonstrated the presence of saponins, essential oils, and alkaloids, and they associated the properties of these biomolecules with their biological functions. The students were able to formulate hypotheses and establish the necessary connections to achieve the proposed objectives, highlighting the importance of group work, discussion among peers, and investigative protagonism for the consolidation of diverse knowledge.