Visualization activities such as molecular modeling can allow students to easily grasp complex biochemical subjects and can provide a fun and rewarding experience that motivates them to learn. However, modeling activities for large classes and laboratories can also be frustrating for students because the instructor may not be able to offer personalized guidance on how to construct or manipulate the models. This exercise remedies this problem by providing animated presentations that show in a step-by-step fashion how to build triacylglycerides and how to perform a “hand held” saponification reaction. It also reviews the reaction mechanisms of saponification and the lipase enzyme. The accompanying presentation?s detailed visual cues can make modeling complex molecular changes easier. During the exercise, students work in groups with molecular model kits and then view the lipase active site using the PyMol™ molecular modeling software.
