ChatGPT "Twenty Questions" mystery molecule activity: promoting student engagement and learning of metabolic pathways

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT offer new opportunities to promote active learning in pharmacy education. To foster engagement and understanding of metabolic pathways, a “20 Questions: Mystery Molecule” activity was developed that utilized ChatGPT as an interactive learning partner. The activity was inspired by the classic parlor game Twenty Questions, which has long been used to stimulate logical reasoning and deductive thinking through structured yes/no questioning. Objectives: The objectives of this assignment were (1) to introduce students to a novel way to study using ChatGPT, and (2) to facilitate learning of glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. Methods: First-semester pharmacy students enrolled in a foundational sciences course were provided instructions to play two rounds of “20 Questions” with ChatGPT. In the first round, students asked ChatGPT ten yes/no questions to identify a mystery molecule that ChatGPT chose from the designated metabolic pathways. Students were only allowed to guess the mystery molecule one time, as their last question. In the second round, ChatGPT posed the yes/no questions to guess a mystery molecule that the student chose. Students were encouraged to look up information to answer accurately, reinforcing self-directed learning. After completing the activity, students submitted their chat transcripts and completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey assessing perceptions of the learning experience. All methods were approved by the IRB. Results: The response rate of the survey was 60% (30/50). Ninety percent of students had previously used ChatGPT and 73% had used it for academic purposes. Most respondents agreed that the instructions were clear (97%) and that the assignment was easy to complete (97%). Approximately 77% agreed that they learned a new way to study using ChatGPT, and 77% agreed that the activity enhanced their understanding of metabolic pathways. Confidence in ChatGPT’s responses was generally high (76% agreed), and 90% reported that ChatGPT’s logic confirmed the mystery molecule. Seventy six percent indicated they were likely to use ChatGPT for future learning, and 87% enjoyed the assignment. Two open-ended questions revealed what the students liked and disliked about the assignment. Conclusion: Incorporating ChatGPT into an interactive “20 Questions” format effectively engaged pharmacy students, encouraged active inquiry, and promoted learning of metabolic pathways while introducing innovative AI-based study strategies. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.