Here are the interview questions I have prepared. My main goal is to determine students' understanding of the concepts of pH and the properties of biological acids and bases since this is one of the core principles of Biochemistry and related sciences. Please feel free to leave me any comments and critiques about these questions and thanks for reading my blog.
1. What is the definition of pH? What is the importance of understanding the pH of a solution as a biochemistry?
2. Why do you think amino acids exhibit a range of pH values when in a peptide versus the free amino acid.
3. The partial pressure of CO2 in the lungs can be varied rapidly by the rate and depth of breathing. For example, a common remedy to alleviate hiccups is to increase the concentration of CO2 in the lungs. This can be achieved by holding one's breath, by slow and shallow breathing ( hypoventilation), or by breathing in and out of a paper bag. Under such conditions, pCO2 in the air space in the lungs rises above normal. Can you explain the effects of these procedures in the pH of the blood?
4. What is a buffer and what does a buffer system consist of?
5. And why do you think cells need to be buffered?
I like the first question a lot. Having them explain and define what pH is and how it is used would be a great starting point. I think the next couple of questions should be more opened ended so the questions are probing understanding rather than expecting an answer from the student. Although if you are wondering what the student think is most important when solving problems dealing with pH, then I think the questions should work well, but maybe incorporate some sort of open ended-ness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Trent. The first one is a nice opener for your interview. But with regard to the last ones, would you anticipate them revealing any student's erroneous conceptual understanding? I think they will either know how to solve, or not, which doesn't tell you as much about what the are having difficulty understanding. Perhaps you could have a more open-ended question about protein stability. Or you could ask why amino acids exhibit a range of pH values when in a peptide versus the free amino acid.
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