FR2644077A1 - Parlour game permitting comprehension of the metabolic functioning of the human body - Google Patents

Abstract

Parlour game characterised in that it is composed essentially of: - a pack of cards representing carbohydrates, lipids, protides, oxygen or viruses, namely: 12 carbohydrate cards, 12 protide cards, 12 lipid cards, 9 oxygen cards and 3 virus cards; - a die; - 2-coloured pieces numbered from 1 to 8, symbolising enzymes and represented by small figures; - red or orange square tokens for fatty acids or, alternatively, green or brown tokens for the residues of the reactions 1 to 15; - yellow, orange, blue or violet triangular tokens for the amino acids and white tokens for glucose; - a first board for each player representing an extremely simplified cell, consisting of 12 red and orange bricks symbolising the cell membrane and of two groups of letters C-G-A-T and G-C-T-A, symbolising the chromosomes or the genetic code of the cell.

Description

 The present invention relates to a board game allowing the understanding of the metabolic functioning of the human body.

 This field, which calls upon the mechanisms of biology, chemistry and biochemistry, is in itself obscure and sometimes forbidding. Its access is therefore generally limited to specialists only while its good understanding can be useful in establishing good rules of life, or at least in their understanding and therefore their acceptance.

 The base consists of the different food intake groups.

 Thus, sugar, bread, milk, pasta, fruit, in short all these foods that we say "rich in sugar" and that we call carbohydrates will be mainly transformed into glucose. Meat, fish, eggs, vegetable proteins (soybeans for example), everything called proteins, will be broken down into amino acids. Fats, butter, oil, oilseeds, called lipids are reduced to fatty acids.

 It is of course the cells of our digestive system which carry out this "dismantling" work.

 Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids obtained as well as oxygen are then brought by the blood to all the cells of our body to be either stored there, or used immediately and transformed to - produce energy (it is mainly the case of glucose) - maintain, repair, strengthen the protective cellular membrane (this is the case of fatty acids and amino acids) - manufactures muscle fibers, cartilage (these are the amino acids which are then mainly used) - perform many other tasks, all as important and necessary as each other.

 In the cell, all this work of "reassembly" and "maintenance", organized, codified, controlled by chromosomes is only possible thanks to the presence of proteins or enzymes also made from amino acids.

 In cells, the synthesis of these proteins or enzymes is carried out in two stages. First there is a first phase which is called transcription and which consists of copying a well-defined part of the chromosomes (more precisely DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid, the main element of chromosomes), into mRNA (deoxyribonucleic acid messenger ); then a second phase where the mRNA is read by the ribosomes (set of proteins) and translated into a polypeptide or protein (or enzyme).

 For the implementation of these different mechanisms, a board game is proposed according to the invention making it possible to reconstruct the different reactions, limited in this case to 15 occurring in the aforementioned metabolic phases.

 According to the invention, there is in fact a board game characterized by the fact that it essentially consists of - a pack of cards, showing the carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, oxygen or viruses, namely: 12 carbohydrate cards, 12 cards proteins, 12 lipid cards, 9 oxygen cards and 3 virus cards - one die - two-colored pawns numbered from I to 8, symbolizing enzymes and represented by small characters - square, red or orange tokens for fatty acids or green or brown for the residues from reactions 1 to 15 - triangular yellow, orange, blue or purple tokens for amino acids and white for glucose - a first board for each player representing a cell, simplified to the extreme, consisting of 12 red and orange bricks symbolizing the cell membrane and two groups of letters CGAT and GCTA, symbolizing the chromosomes or the Genetic Code of the cell.

- a second board for each player to store the cards drawn, the energy tokens and the various triangles or squares from the reactions - a leaflet in three sections i1 per player) describing the possible reactions - white square tokens, marked with the letter E symbolizing energy - red and orange trapezoidal tokens representing the bricks of the cell membrane, to be placed as and when they are obtained on the first tray - white square tokens, marked with the letters C, G, A or T symbolizing the genetic code and to be placed as and when they are acquired on the corresponding dotted letters of the first tray - a block of squared sheets to record the operations.

 This game is in principle limited to a maximum of six players.

 Of course, the colors, shapes and other elements of this type indicated above are not to be considered as restrictive. Only the combination of colors of cards, tokens and pawns matters.

 The invention will be better understood using the description given below with reference to the appended drawings in which - FIG. 1 is a representation of certain components of the game - FIG. 2 is a representation of the elements of the stock - FIG. 2 is a representation of the first board - Figure 4 is a representation of the quinza reactions serving as a conductive support for the game.

 With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the game includes the elements which have been determined previously, namely - a pack of cards showing the carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, oxygen or viruses, namely: 12 carbohydrate cards, 12 protein cards, 12 lipid cards, 9 oxygen cards and 3 virus cards - one die - two-color pawns numbered 1 9 8, symbolizing enzymes and represented by small characters - square, red or orange tokens for fatty acids or green or brown for the residues from reactions 1 to 15 - triangular yellow, orange, blue or purple tokens for amino acids and white for glucose - a first board for each player representing an extremely simplified cell made up of 12 red and orange bricks symbolizing the cell membrane and the two groups of letters CGAT and GCTA, symbolizing the Genetic Code of the cell - a second tray for each player to store the c drawn artes, the energy tokens and the various triangles or squares coming from the reactions - a leaflet in three parts tun per player) describing the possible reactions - white square tokens, marked with the letter E symbolizing energy - trapezoidal tokens red and orange representing the bricks of the cell membrane, to place as and when they are obtained on the first tray - white square tokens, marked with the letters C, G, A or T symbolizing the genetic code and to place as and as they are acquired on the corresponding dotted letters of the first tray - a block of squared sheets to record the operations.

The course of the game is as follows - at the start of the game, each player receives
the tray nO 1
tray no 2
enzymes nO 1 and 2 (pawns nO 1 and 2)
a stock of 20 energy tokens
a leaflet describing the possible reactions
a grid sheet - the aim of the game is to double the number of bricks and letters in the cell on board 1, so that the cell can divide - the player who rolls the dice to score the minimum number of points, begins the game - when his turn comes, the player has two possibilities
either draw a card and refer to reactions 1, 5 or 14 explained later
either carry out one of the 12 other reactions described in his leaflet and commented below - the player marks each operation with a cross on his grid sheet - game alone: try to divide the cells into a minimum number of operations and then try to beat his own record - a multiplayer game: the winner is the player who divides his cell first.

The different reactions are as follows - reaction 1: the player who draws a carbohydrate-fat or protein card can
either put it back under the "pickaxe" and pass its turn
either store it on the second tray. He must then spend an energy token which he eliminates from his stock and collects a green square and a brown square which he stores on tray No 2 in the boxes provided for this purpose - - reaction 2: the player decides not to draw a card and has in stock a "protein" card, two green squares, two browns and he has kept the enzyme nO 1 (received at the start). He then replaces the protides card under the "deck", eliminates from his stocks two green squares and two brown ones, collects four triangular tokens of color 1 of each color) and two energy tokens.

 Thus, the proteins become amino acids - reaction 3: the player decides not to draw a card and has in stock a carbohydrate card, two green squares, two browns and the enzyme nO 2. He then replaces his carbohydrate card under the "pickaxe", takes out of its stocks two brown and two green squares, collects six white triangular tokens and two energy tokens.

 Thus the carbohydrates are transformed into glucose.

- reaction 4: the player decides not to draw a card and has a lipid card in stock, at least two green squares, two brown squares and the enzyme nO 3. I1 then replaces the lipid card under the deck, eliminates from his stock two brown squares, two green and get two red squares. two orange squares and two energy tokens.

 Lipids are transformed into fatty acids.

- reaction 5: the player has the chance to draw an oxygen card and has white triangular tokens of glucose in stock). He can increase his energy stock free of charge. I1 rolls the die collects as many energy tokens as there are points marked by the die, eliminates a white token from its stock and replaces the oxygen card under the "draw pile". Glucose becomes energy.

- reaction 6: to obtain the enzyme NO 5 and a green square, the player eliminates the enzyme NO 1 and an energy token from his stock. To obtain the enzyme nO 6 and a green square, it releases the enzyme nO 2 and an energy token.

 To obtain the enzyme nO 7 and a green edge, it eliminates the enzyme nO 3 and an energy token.

To obtain the enzyme nO 8 and a green square, it releases the enzyme nO 4 and a reaction energy token 7: if we have the enzyme 8
to get enzyme 1 and an energy token, remove enzyme 5 and a green square
to get enzyme 2 and an energy token, remove enzyme 6 and a green square
to get the enzyme 3 and an energy token, take out the enzyme 7 and a green square
to get the enzyme 4 and an energy token, take out a 2nd enzyme 8 and a green square.

- reaction 8: in reaction 5, we see that the triangular white glucose tokens are important for obtaining energy. If you have the enzyme 4 and if you believe you have too many fatty acids (red or orange squares) or amino acids (yellow, orange, blue or purple triangles) or residues 1 (green squares) in stock, you can transform at least five of these triangles or squares into three white glucose triangles. We therefore remove five triangles or squares from the stock, two energy tokens and we recover three white triangles, two brown squares and two green.

- reaction 9: the player decides not to draw a card and has the enzyme 5, amino acids (colored triangles) and enough energy tokens. He can get the enzymes 1 4 he needs for the rest of the game (be careful only one enzyme each time). So
leaving a yellow triangle, a blue triangle, and two energy tokens, he gets the enzyme nO 1, two brown squares and two green
by leaving a blue triangle, an orange, two energy tokens, he obtains the enzyme 2, two green squares and two browns
by eliminating an orange triangle, a purple one, two energy tokens, it recovers the enzyme 3, two green squares and two chestnuts
by eliminating a purple triangle, a yellow one, two energy tokens, he obtains the enzyme 4, two green squares and two browns
Amino acids are thus transformed into enzymes.

- reaction 10: the player can acquire a brick from the cell membrane if he has the enzyme 7. He eliminates from his stock two red or orange squares, a white triangle, two energy tokens and recovers a red or orange brick , which he places under tray 1, two brown and two green squares.

- reaction 11: the player can get the letter A or G, if he has the enzyme 6. He takes out of his stock three white triangles, a yellow triangle, a blue and an orange, two energy tokens and recovers the letter A or G which he places on the tray 1, two brown squares and two green.

- reaction 12: the player can get the letter C or T if he has the enzyme 6. He takes from his stock two white triangles, one yellow and one purple, two energy tokens and gets the letter C or T qu 'he places on the tray 1, two brown squares and two greens.

- reaction 13: we notice that during the previous reactions when we remove an energy token, we get in return a brown square and a green. The brown squares symbolize the toxic waste to be eliminated, otherwise the good health of one's own cell will be compromised. We must carefully monitor their stock, which must not exceed 10.

 If we Play & several and one of the players has a stock greater than 10, he loses his turn and next turn he will necessarily have to eliminate an energy token, nine brown squares and recover a green square.

- reaction 14: if you draw the virus card, you will have to pay ten energy tokens to get rid of it. Otherwise, we go to reaction 15.

- reaction 15: by eliminating one or more enzymes from the stock, five energy tokens are recovered per enzyme, which will perhaps get rid of the virus.

 If you do not have an enzyme, then you eliminate your stock of cards and tokens, you return to the starting situation but with only ten tokens.

Claims (1)

 1. Board game characterized by the fact that it essentially consists of - a pack of cards, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, oxygen or viruses, namely: 12 carbohydrate cards, 12 protein cards, 12 lipid cards1 9 oxygen cards and 3 virus cards - a dice - two-colored pawns numbered 1 to 8, symbolizing enzymes and represented by small characters - square, red or orange tokens for fatty acids or green or brown for the reaction residues l to 15 - yellow, orange, blue or purple triangular tokens for amino acids and white for glucose - a first board for each player representing a cell, simplified to the extreme, consisting of 12 red and orange bricks symbolizing the cell membrane and two groups of letters CGAT and GCTA, symbolizing the chromosomes or the Genetic Code of the cell. - a second board for each player to store the cards drawn, the energy tokens and the various triangles or squares from the reactions - a leaflet in three sections (1 per player) describing the possible reactions - white square tokens, marked of the letter E symbolizing energy - red and orange trapezoidal tokens representing the bricks of the cell membrane, to place as and when they are obtained on the first tray - white square tokens, marked with the letters C, G, A or T symbolizing the genetic code and to be placed as and when they are acquired on the corresponding dotted letters of the first tray - a block of squared sheets to record the operations.