Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Evaluation of Natural Compounds for Antimicrobial Activity
 Overview of Activity
This activity introduces students to the medicinal value of certain plant extracts as antimicrobials.
Activity Type: In Class Laboratory Experiement
URLs: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/disease/pdf/natural_compounds.pdf
Grade Level: 9-12
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced
Amount of Time Required for Activity: One to Two 40-minute Class Periods
Recommended Uses:
Prior to attending exhibit, this activity may be used as an engaging introduction to antimicrobial products and the effect of natural remedies against microbes.
After visiting the exhibit, it may be used to reinforce and highlight the effect of natural remedies against microbes as antimicrobials.
Description
Students choose from a list of plants that have traditionally been known to have medicinal value to their extracts. They use an extraction technique described in the procedure. After removing the extract from the plant, they perform an experiment to test for the antimicrobial value of the plants of their choice by exposing non-pathogenic E. coli plates (control and experimental) through their own experimental design. They will then share their results with the class and write a formal lab report about their findings.
This activity was designed as part of a series on Infectious Diseases (2000 and Beyond) for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Relation to the Science Standards
High School
Content Standard A - Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
Content Standard C - Behavior of Organisms
Content Standard F - Personal and Community Health
Related Part of the Exhibit
Antibiotics and Emerging Drug Resistance
Additional Related Links
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/disease/dvd.html (to request free DVD)
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