CourseSource: Resources

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Investigating Enzyme Structure and Function Through Model-Building and Peer Teaching in an Introductory Biology Course

A foundational knowledge of the relationship between structure and function is critical to understanding how enzymes work. The seemingly invisible nature of these molecular interactions makes it challenging for undergraduate students to...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Introductory Biology

structure-functionEnzymeallosteric regulationcompetitive inhibitionfeedback inhibitionnoncompetitive inhibitionproductsubstrate

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3779

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415

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Using Open-Source Bioinformatics and Visualization Tools to Explore the Structure and Function of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

The relationship between protein structure and function is a foundational concept in undergraduate biochemistry. We find this theme is best presented with assignments that encourage exploration and analysis. Here, we share a series of four...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Bioinformatics Science Process Skills

bioinformaticsmolecular modelingCOVID19protein structure and functionUCSF ChimeraSARS-CoV-2 spike proteinACE2 receptor

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4198

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627

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Using Bioinformatics and Molecular Visualization to Develop Student Hypotheses in a Malate Dehydrogenase Oriented CURE

Developing student creativity and ability to develop a testable hypothesis represents a significant challenge in most laboratory courses. This lesson demonstrates how students use facets of molecular evolution and bioinformatics approaches...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Bioinformatics Science Process Skills

bioinformaticsNoncovalent InteractionsEnzyme CatalysisProtein Structure/function

Teaching Tools and Strategies

3637

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1719

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A 360˚ View of COVID-19

In March 2020, institutions underwent a massive transition to distance learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so little time to devise new materials to maximize learning in the new virtual environment, instructors devised a variety of...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Bioinformatics Cell Biology Evolution Genetics Immunology Introductory Biology Microbiology Science Process Skills

geneticsImmunologyBiochemistrybioinformaticsmolecular evolutionpublic healthvirusCOVID19

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3885

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209

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Isolation and Functional Analysis of a Pancreatic Enzyme in an Introductory Student Lab

Structure and function are correlated at all levels of biology. This topic is typically addressed early in an undergraduate class in general or molecular biology before students have gained much skill or knowledge in molecular biology. However, an...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Introductory Biology

Protein StructureproteaseEnzymechemical bondscatalysissolubility

Essay

1704

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369

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Online Adaptation of the Cell Engineer/Detective Lesson

One of the most fundamental themes of biology is the relationship between structure and function, which is particularly evident when it comes to cells; however, the traditional cartoon depictions of cells that are often used to help teach the...

Courses: Cell Biology Introductory Biology Science Process Skills

cell functionCell StructureOrganelles

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2105

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544

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Using computational molecular modeling software to demonstrate how DNA mutations cause phenotypes

Students require a deep understanding of the central dogma before they can understand complex topics such as evolution and biochemical disorders. However, getting undergraduate biology students to apply higher-order thinking skills to the central...

Courses: Bioinformatics Genetics Science Process Skills

Protein Structurecomputational modelingcentral dogmaplant leaf structurePhenotype/Genotype

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4346

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84

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The Great Petunia Carnage of 2017: A Clicker Case Study Using Petunias to Describe the Effect of Genetic Modification on the Biochemistry of Flower Color and Phenotype in Plants

In this single class period case study, students examine the difference between genotype and phenotype by studying the mechanisms by which commercially available petunias have been bred to have different phenotypes (flower colors). Students review...

Courses: Genetics Introductory Biology Plant Biology

case studyGenetic ModificationsBiochemistry of Flower ColorGMO regulationsGenotype-Phenotype Connections

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3385

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Using the Cell Engineer/Detective Approach to Explore Cell Structure and Function

As instructors of introductory biology courses for majors and non-majors, we have struggled with teaching the concept of cell structure and function in an engaging way. However, this is a foundational concept that most biology instructors...

Courses: Cell Biology Introductory Biology Science Process Skills

cell functionCell StructureCellular diversityDynamic cellular functionOrganelle function

Teaching Tools and Strategies

2551

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211

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An Interactive Protocol for In-Classroom DNA Extraction

Using commonly available materials, this tool allows students to extract DNA, exploring DNA chemistry and the principles of experimental design and execution. We take a “Choose Your Own Adventure” approach encouraging students to...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Genetics Introductory Biology

geneticsDNAbiochemical structure and function

Lesson

5361

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1394

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Teaching Cell Structures through Games

As the basic unit of life, cells are a foundational concept for all of biology. Before students can appreciate how eukaryotic cells function either in isolation or in higher order and multicellular organisms, they must first have a basic...

Courses: Introductory Biology

Cell Structurecell organellesTransmembrane Transport

Lesson

2987

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351

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Serotonin in the Pocket: Non-covalent interactions and neurotransmitter binding

This lesson introduces beginning biochemistry students to the concept of a biomolecule binding site, such as a neurotransmitter receptor site or an enzyme active site. A simple organic molecule, the neurotransmitter serotonin, is the focus of the...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

active sitebindingbinding sitehydrogen bondinghydrophobic effectionic interactionsnon-covalent forces

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2829

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738

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Electron Location, Location, Location: Understanding Biological Interactions

Introductory Biology courses typically introduce the structure and function of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. To understand biomolecules fully, students require knowledge of fundamental chemistry concepts such as covalent...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Introductory Biology

hydrogen bondshydrophobicity/hydrophilicitypolar and non-polar covalent bonds

Science Behind the Lesson

658

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58

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X-ploring Fragile X: The Science Behind the Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome is an X-linked genetic disorder resulting from the impairment of transcription of the FMR1 gene, producing less to no FMRP protein. FMRP is a translational inhibitor that plays a key role in neurological development. Recent...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Genetics Introductory Biology

epigeneticsgene regulationtranscriptioncentral dogmatranslationFragile X syndromeSphingosine Metabolism

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2051

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A Simple Method for Predicting a Molecule's Biological Properties From Its Polarity

The distinction between very polar and less polar substances is a foundation of biochemistry, cell biology, and physiology; it surfaces in multiple concept inventories and elaborations of biological core concepts. However, in our experience, most...

Courses: Anatomy-Physiology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Cell Biology Introductory Biology

Diffusionsolubilitycovalent bondshydrophilichydrophobicpartition coefficientplasma membranepolarity

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2123

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405

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Integrating Manipulatives and Animations to Visualize Holliday Junctions

The complex molecular architecture of Holliday junctions is often challenging for undergraduate biochemistry students to conceptualize. In particular, they have difficulty translating from two-dimensional, linear representations shown in textbooks...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Genetics

dna structureDNA damageDNA recombinationGene crossoverHolliday junction

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2826

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774

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Unwrapping Enzyme Kinetics

Enzyme rates and kinetics are key components used by biochemists to understand how enzymes function. However, students often find it difficult to understand how these experiments are performed and how they reflect enzyme behavior in solution. The...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

kineticsstructure-functionenzymescatalysis

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4291

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Exploring the Complexities of Photosynthesis Through a Comic Strip

Photosynthesis is a conceptually challenging topic. The small scale at which photosynthesis takes place makes it difficult for students to visualize what is occurring, and students are often overwhelmed by all of the details of the process. This...

Courses: Introductory Biology Plant Biology

photosynthesislight-dependent reactionsCalvin cyclechloroplast

Lesson

2145

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496

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Necessary and Sufficient? Solving the Mystery of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Transporter

While there are several available lessons for teaching introductory biology students about diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport, fewer materials exist to support upper-division students' understanding of the proteins that...

Courses: Cell Biology

DiffusionActive transportfacilitated diffusionNecessary and sufficientTransport proteins

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1578

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350

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Understanding Protein Domains: A Modular Approach

An understanding of protein structure, function, and interaction is central to biochemistry. One angle into this topic is to engage students in considering protein domains as modules that develop form and execute function semi-independently. Here,...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Cell Biology Science Process Skills

Protein Structure