Prev. Article Next Article Table of Contents

Article

Using Denatured Egg White as a Macroscopic Model for Teaching Protein Structure and Introducing Protein Synthesis for High School Students

Your current credentials do not allow retrieval of the full text.

Purchase the full-text

PDF/HTML,
figures/images,
references and tables,
(where available)

Bayardo B. Torres

Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05513-970, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Paulo R. M. Correia

Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, 03828-080, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

J. Chem. Educ., 2007, 84 (12), p 1941

DOI: 10.1021/ed084p1941

Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2007

Abstract

The success of teaching molecular and atomic phenomena depends on the didactical strategy and the media selection adopted, in consideration of the level of abstraction of the subject to be taught and the students' capability to deal with abstract operations. Dale's cone of experience was employed to plan three 50-minute classes to discuss protein denaturation from a chemical point of view. Only low abstraction level activities were selected: (i) two demonstrations showing the denaturation of albumin by heating and by changing the solvent, (ii) the assembly of a macroscopic model representing the protein molecule, and (iii) a role-play for simulating glucagon synthesis. A student-centered approach and collaborative learning were used throughout the classes. The use of macroscopic models is a powerful didactical strategy to represent molecular and atomic events. They can convert microscopic entities into touchable objects, reducing the abstraction level required to discuss chemistry with high school students. Thus, interesting topics involving molecules and their behavior can take place efficiently when mediated by concrete experiences.