The impact of a story on learning ketone body metabolism. 2023

Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.

Biochemistry is a core subject in the cross-disciplinary training on Biotechnology engineering courses. Metabolic pathways teaching has traditionally integrated hands-on laboratory experiences and traditional lectures, which detail a large number of reactions at a molecular level, their enzymes and regulation. The current scenario of Covid-19 outbreak have motivated the development of complementary tools that expand the horizon of metabolism teaching. In this study, we employed a story-based methodology to strengthen the metabolic pathways learning and to measure students' perception. Specifically, a peer-reviewed tale describing the ketone body metabolism was used during five semesters as a didactic strategy to teach this biochemical process. A questionnaire assessed the students' understanding and acceptance of the methodology (n = 83). Our findings showed that a high proportion of students (83.13%) were able to relate the story to the topics studied in the classroom (ketogenesis and ketolysis). On the other hand, they were satisfied and suggested that such methodology is effective and fun. In summary, most of the survey responses related to acceptance of story-based strategy ranged from 72% to 97%. Collectively, these results indicated that the story is appropriate to decomplex pathways, becoming a simple tool for driving motivation, learning and engagement of students. The narrative represents a bridge to connect the intriguing series of chemical reactions involved in the anabolism and degradation of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB), acetoacetate, and acetone with previously learned knowledge, emotions, and key concepts. In conclusion, the tale was useful to decode ketone body-related pathways and making metabolism learning more interesting and easier.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007657 Ketone Bodies The metabolic substances ACETONE; 3-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID; and acetoacetic acid (ACETOACETATES). They are produced in the liver and kidney during FATTY ACIDS oxidation and used as a source of energy by the heart, muscle and brain. Acetone Bodies,Bodies, Acetone,Bodies, Ketone
D007858 Learning Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge. Phenomenography
D004521 Educational Measurement The assessing of academic or educational achievement. It includes all aspects of testing and test construction. Assessment, Educational,Graduate Records Examination,Educational Assessment,Examination, Graduate Records,Measurement, Educational,Assessments, Educational,Educational Assessments,Educational Measurements,Examinations, Graduate Records,Graduate Records Examinations,Measurements, Educational
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001671 Biochemistry The study of the composition, chemical structures, and chemical reactions of living things.
D013334 Students Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program. School Enrollment,Enrollment, School,Enrollments, School,School Enrollments,Student

Related Publications

Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
March 2018, Zhonghua xin xue guan bing za zhi,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
December 2023, Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
January 2005, Journal of inherited metabolic disease,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
June 2020, Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
February 2025, The AAPS journal,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
January 1969, Tip Fakultesi mecmuasi,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
June 1951, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
April 1985, Federation proceedings,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
June 1995, Clinical and investigative medicine. Medecine clinique et experimentale,
Génesis Romero-Zambrano, and Fernando Valdivieso-Rivera, and José Rafael Almeida
April 2003, Seikagaku. The Journal of Japanese Biochemical Society,
Copied contents to your clipboard!