Graphic organizers are a fun way to teach the intricate details of the Krebs cycle. Present the steps in a logical fashion using outlines that separate the main ideas from the details; main ideas of the Krebs cycle include what results from one acetyl-CoA molecule -- 2 CO2 molecules, 3 NADH molecules and 1 FADH2 molecule and 1 GTP molecule. Encourage note-taking as an effective organizing strategy for easy recall. Use Cornell’s ‘Note organization mnemonic’ system to list the enzymes involved in catalytic conversions on the left and list the corresponding products formed in each of the eight steps on the right.
Model mnemonics use representations to help with understanding and recall. The Krebs cycle is best described as a cyclic phenomenon because oxaloacetate, being the start and end product, binds with another acetyl CoA molecule to begin another turn of the cycle.
Represent the Krebs cycle as a circular sequence model with a mention of the carbon number at each step; 2-C acetyl CoA combines with the 4-C oxaloacetate to form 6-C citrate that undergoes a series of enzyme-catalyzed conversions; 6 CO2 molecules are released as waste gas.
Mnemonics also include visual imagery. Mark the main ideas in blue; the carbon number, the secondary ideas in pink; details such as the NAD and FAD conversion, ATP production, CO2 molecules released and H2O molecules added in yellow; as well as the oxaloacetate that is the start and finish product. Use this as an image outline along with highlighted words to list the enzymes and the reaction molecules involved in every step.
Lyrical learning uses name mnemonics, ode or rhyme mnemonics and music mnemonics to enhance memory. Incorporate songs, lyrics and music in the lesson for students to grasp ideas the fun way. Provide text with music for dual coding; the brain processes text in the left and the music in the right. Use name pneumonics to teach molecule and enzyme names in the Krebs cycle; this technique affects learning by making connections and "chunking." Encourage the students to listen to the Krebs cycle song and use it along with lyrics and a handy chart depicting the Krebs cycle for fun learning using music mnemonics.
In this physical practice of modeled mechanisms of Krebs cycle steps, the student uses a citric acid cycle kit with inputs, outputs and waste products. He cycles alongside Acetyl CoA through each of the eight main Krebs cycle steps modeled in separate rooms called stations; he stops at each station, listens to audio instructions and completes every mechanistic step. The student phosphorylates molecules, moves energy-containing portions of molecules to make ATP, blows up balloons to represent the number of released molecules, adds or takes out water molecules or brings in NAD+ to form NADH. He records all the additions and expulsions to and from the system in a citric acid cycle tracker sheet.
The student must repeat the eight-step cycle as two pyruvates from glycolysis need to be processed in the citric acid cycle. Encourage the student to note the observations and any pertinent questions to discuss later. This teaching approach makes learning fun through doing as well as through systematic planning.