Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Building Molecular Models of DNA, Protein, and Lipids
 

Anne L. Cordon and Neil A. Straus

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1994, Volume 15

Abstract

Molecular models of DNA, protein (alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet), and lipids are built to scale. With a minimum of scientific jargon, these laboratory exercises effectively display the important aspects of three-dimensional shape and spatial orientation that are poorly presented in textbook illustrations and demonstrate how the shape of molecules and weak chemical associations like hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions combine to form the macromolecular associations fundamental to living cells.

Keywords:  macromolecular structure, spatial orientation, three dimensional shape

University of Toronto (1993)