Organagrams
Organic Chemistry Anagram Game
Organagrams is an organic chemistry anagram game. The rules are derived from Snatch-it, a really fun anagram game. You rearrange the letter tiles to make words. The letter tiles are one-, two-, and three-letter symbols of elements and other things in organic chemistry. The rules of the game are in the PDF file below. The game mechanics are really just about making anagrams, not about organic chemistry. But it's fun, and by playing the anagram game you will become more familiar with some important words from organic chemistry.
Print the Organagrams Game (PDF) on card stock, cut out the tiles with scissors, read the rules, then play!
If you want a box, print the Organagrams Game Box (PDF) on card stock, cut out, fold, and glue.
The letter tiles are:
| Category | Letter Tiles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Elements | C, H, O, N, P, S, K, Ca, Cl, Na | The major elements in living things. You may remember the mnemonics CHON, CHONPS, or CHNOPS. |
| Trace elements | B, F, I, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mo, Ni, Se | Some trace elements that are needed by living things — those with good letters for making words in English. |
| DNA/RNA Bases | A, C, G, T, U | DNA nucleobases are A, C, G, T. RNA uses U in place of T. |
| Vitamins | A, B, C, D, E, K | The major vitamins needed by people — ignoring the numbers like B1, B2, B3, etc. |
| Amino Acids | Ala, Arg, Asp, Gly, His, Ile, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Val | Some of the major amino acids — those with good letters for making words in English. |
| Functional Group | R | R represents a functional group of atoms within a molecule, such as an alkyl group. |
There are more copies of letters needed more frequently in English (such as "E"). Notice that "C" is an element, a DNA base, and a vitamin.