Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Building Molecular Models of DNA, Protein, and Lipids
 



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)