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Peppers: Biology and Chemistry of Capsaicin

Learn about the chemistry and biology behind the molecule behind heat in chili peppers: capsaicin.

-

grade:

6

9

time:

2 class periods

active lab time:

30

minutes

objectives:

- Identify the molecule behind spice in peppers and describe where it is found in peppers
- Explore how different peppers have different amounts of capsaicin
- Describe why it benefits a plant to be spicy from an evolutionary perspective

science concepts:

solubility, polarity, adaptations

essential questions:

- What makes peppers spicy?
- How can we use science to better understand how to use spice in cooking?

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