Lesson Plan

• Describe how oxidation of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins releases energy captured as ATP.
• Compare the ATP yield and energy per gram for glucose, palmitic acid, and a typical amino acid.
• Explain why lipids provide more energy per gram than carbohydrates and proteins.
• Apply knowledge of substrate choice to different exercise intensities.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides with tables and diagrams
• Printed handouts of the substrate energy table
• Whiteboard and markers
• Calculators for student calculations
• Worksheet for guided analysis
• Exit‑ticket slips

Begin with a quick poll: “Which food do you think gives the most energy per gram?” Connect this to prior knowledge of ATP production from glucose. Explain that by the end of the lesson students will be able to compare the energy yields of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and justify substrate use during different activities.

1. Do‑now (5') – short quiz on ATP yield from glucose to activate prior knowledge.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – present oxidation pathways and display the energy‑yield table for carbohydrate, lipid, and protein substrates.
3. Guided analysis (12') – pairs calculate ATP per gram using ΔG_ATP and discuss why lipids produce more energy.
4. Interactive discussion (8') – link substrate preference to exercise intensity (low‑intensity vs. high‑intensity).
5. Consolidation activity (10') – worksheet where students fill in key differences and create a quick reference chart.
6. Exit ticket (5') – one‑sentence response: “Which substrate is favoured for prolonged low‑intensity activity and why?”

Summarise the hierarchy of energy yields and the physiological reasons for substrate selection. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a homework task: students research a real‑world scenario (e.g., endurance sport nutrition) and write a brief paragraph linking substrate choice to performance.