Reported misconceptions of enzyme-substrate interactions highlight the necessity for better, targeted instructional tools and assessments. A series of active learning activities with corresponding three-dimensional (3D) physical models were developed to target undergraduate biochemistry students’ conceptual understanding of space, electrostatic interactions, and stereochemistry in enzyme-substrate interactions. This lesson includes two activities utilizing physical models of elastase, chymotrypsin, and trypsin. These enzymes are widely taught in undergraduate biochemistry courses and are exceptional examples of a variety of enzyme paradigms. The Model Exploration activity guides students in an exploration of these models to connect conceptual and visual content. The Problem Solving activity uses two-dimensional representations of the physical models to further build student's understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions. These activities are implemented in two consecutive fifty-minute classes or alternatively combined for a seventy-five-minute class. These lessons are an inclusive, student-centered approach to teaching that enables students to confront misconceptions and promotes mastery of the material.

Primary image: Backbones and Surfaces and Substrates! Oh My! Undergraduate Biochemistry Students Working with the Serine Protease Model Set.