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Journal Articles: 24 results
A-DNA and B-DNA: Comparing Their Historical X-ray Fiber Diffraction Images  Amand A. Lucas
This paper provides a comparative explanation of the structural content of the diffraction diagrams of A-DNA and B-DNA that facilitated the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953. This analysis is supported a method that simulates both A-DNA and B-DNA X-ray images optically.
Lucas, Amand A. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 737.
Biophysical Chemistry |
Conformational Analysis |
Crystals / Crystallography |
X-ray Crystallography |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
Kinetic Analysis of Amylase Using Quantitative Benedict's and Iodine Starch Reagents  Beverly Cochran, Deborah Lunday, and Frank Miskevich
This laboratory emphasizes that enzymes mediate the conversion of a substrate into a product and that either the concentration of product or reactant may be used to follow the course of a reaction. It does so by using an inexpensive scanner and open-source image analysis software to quantify amylase activity through the breakdown of starch and the appearance of glucose.
Cochran, Beverly; Lunday, Deborah; Miskevich, Frank. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 401.
Biosynthesis |
Carbohydrates |
Catalysis |
Enzymes |
Food Science |
Nutrition |
Quantitative Analysis |
UV-Vis Spectroscopy
Nature's Way To Make the Lantibiotics  Heather A. Relyea and Wilfred A. van der Donk
This article focuses on one class of antimicrobial compounds, the lantibiotics, and discusses their biosynthetic pathways as well as their molecular mode of action. In the course of the review, the meaning of the terms regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity are discussed.
Relyea, Heather A.; van der Donk, Wilfred A. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 1769.
Applications of Chemistry |
Bioorganic Chemistry |
Biotechnology |
Biosynthesis |
Catalysis |
Drugs / Pharmaceuticals |
Proteins / Peptides
Using Physical Models of Biomolecular Structures To Teach Concepts of Biochemical Structure and Structure Depiction in the Introductory Chemistry Laboratory  Gordon A. Bain, John Yi, Mithra Beikmohamadi, Timothy M. Herman, and Michael A. Patrick
Custom-made physical models of alpha-helices and beta-sheets, the zinc finger moiety, beta-globin, and green fluorescent protein are used to introduce students in first-year chemistry to the primary, secondary, and tertiary structure of proteins.
Bain, Gordon A.; Yi, John; Beikmohamadi, Mithra; Herman, Timothy M.; Patrick, Michael A. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 1322.
Amino Acids |
Proteins / Peptides |
Molecular Modeling |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
A Unique Demonstration Model of DNA  Jonathan P. L. Cox
Describes a physical demonstration model of DNA for the classroom. The model comprises two types of building blocks that can be put together rapidly to produce an abstract structure that portrays several of the gross architectural features of idealized B-DNA.
Cox, Jonathan P. L. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 1319.
Molecular Biology |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Student-Centered Learning |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
DNA Profiling of the D1S80 Locus: A Forensic Analysis for the Undergraduate Biochemistry Laboratory  D. Dewaine Jackson, Chad S. Abbey, and Dylan Nugent
Describes a laboratory exercise in DNA profiling that can be used to demonstrate four fundamental procedures: isolation of genomic DNA from human cells, use of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA, separation of amplified DNAs on agarose and polyacrylamide gels, and quantitative analysis of data (while comparing two different gel separation techniques).
Jackson, D. Dewaine; Abbey, Chad S.; Nugent, Dylan. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 774.
Biological Cells |
Biotechnology |
Electrophoresis |
Forensic Chemistry |
Molecular Biology |
Quantitative Analysis |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
Gifts from Mother Earth—The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly  Sabine Heinhorst and Gordon C. Cannon
Recent articles from the journal Nature that deal with good, bad, and ugly gifts from Mother Earth are described.
Heinhorst, Sabine; Cannon, Gordon C. J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 196.
Biosynthesis |
Biotechnology |
Natural Products |
Nutrition |
Plant Chemistry |
Polymerization |
Proteins / Peptides
A 3D Model of Double-Helical DNA Showing Variable Chemical Details  Susan G. Cady
A 3D double-helical DNA model, made by placing beads on a wire and stringing beads through holes in plastic canvas, is described. Suggestions are given to enhance the basic helical frame to show the shapes and sizes of the nitrogenous base rings, 3' and 5' chain termini, and base pair hydrogen bonding. Students can incorporate random or real gene sequence data into their models.
Cady, Susan G. J. Chem. Educ. 2005, 82, 79.
Biotechnology |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Molecular Modeling |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
A Set of Hands-On Exercises on Conformational Analysis  Silvina C. Pellegrinet and Ernesto G. Mata
This article describes a set of comprehensive exercises on conformational analysis that employs a hands-on approach by the use of molecular modeling kits. In addition, the exercises provide illustrations of other topics such as nomenclature, functional groups, and isomerism, and introduce some notions of chirality.
Pellegrinet, Silvina C.; Mata, Ernesto G. J. Chem. Educ. 2005, 82, 73.
Alkanes / Cycloalkanes |
Conformational Analysis |
Constitutional Isomers |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Stereochemistry
Genomics: The Science and Technology Behind the Human Genome Project (by Charles R. Cantor and Cassandra L. Smith)  reviewed by Martin J. Serra
This book is an outgrowth of a series of lectures given by one of the former heads (CRC) of the Human Genome Initiative. The book is designed to reach a wide audience, from biologists with little chemical or physical science background through engineers, computer scientists, and physicists with little current exposure to the chemical or biological principles of genetics.
Serra, Martin J. J. Chem. Educ. 2000, 77, 33.
Biotechnology |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
Liver and Onions: DNA Extraction from Animal and Plant Tissues  Karen J. Nordell, Anne-Marie L. Jackelen, S. Michael Condren, George C. Lisensky, and Arthur B. Ellis*
This activity, which allows students to extract DNA from plant and animal cells, serves as a spectacular example of the complexity of biochemical structure and function and fits well with a discussion of nucleic acids, hydrogen bonding, genetic coding, and heredity. DNA extraction can also be used in conjunction with a discussion of polymers and their properties.
Nordell, Karen J.; Jackelen, Anne-Marie L.; Condren, S. Michael; Lisensky, George C.; Ellis, Arthur B. J. Chem. Educ. 1999, 76, 400A.
Hydrogen Bonding |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA
Stereowordimers-Minding Your P's and Q's  Edward G. Neeland
The use of words having different colored sides is a excellent way to introduce stereochemical concepts that might not be easily grasped when using molecular examples. We have found that concepts such as enantiomers, diastereomers, identical molecules, chirality, achirality, mirror planes of symmetry, and internal planes of symmetry are readily understood by students when using stereowordimer examples.
Neeland, Edward G. J. Chem. Educ. 1998, 75, 1573.
Stereochemistry |
Diastereomers |
Enantiomers |
Molecular Properties / Structure
From UNIX to PC via X-Windows: Molecular Modeling for the General Chemistry Lab  Donald Pavia and Mark Wicholas
A 3-hour experiment that attempts to illustrate the relationship between molecular geometry as predicted by the VSEPR model and valence bond theory. As a pre-laboratory take-home exercise, students are given a list of 23 species and asked to predict bond angles, geometry, and hybridization.
Pavia, Donald; Wicholas, Mark. J. Chem. Educ. 1997, 74, 444.
VSEPR Theory |
Molecular Properties / Structure
Four Programs for Windows: Abstract of Volume 4D, Number 2: Alkanes in Motion  Jae Hyun Kim
Alkanes in Motion depicts the molecular motion of hydrocarbons in the gas phase. Four animations from the collection are presented here. These four animations consist of two animations each of hexane and octadecane, one animation calculated to show translational motion and one to show vibrational motion.
Kim, Jae Hyun. J. Chem. Educ. 1996, 73, 1079.
Molecular Modeling |
Alkanes / Cycloalkanes |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Gases
Animation of Imaginary Frequencies at the Transition State  Robert H. Higgins
176. Software tutorial for strengthening spatial skills and an understanding of stereochemistry in exploring molecular structures.
Higgins, Robert H. J. Chem. Educ. 1995, 72, 699.
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Stereochemistry |
Molecular Modeling
An Attack on the AIDS Virus: Inhibition of the HIV-1 Protease. New Drug Development Based on the Structure and Activity of the Protease and its Role in the Replication and Maturation of the Virus  Volker, Eugene J.
Article shows how research into the biochemistry of HIV may lead to a method for controlling its growth and maturation. This research illustrates some basic enzyme chemistry and holds student appeal due to the tie into current affairs.
Volker, Eugene J. J. Chem. Educ. 1993, 70, 3.
Bioorganic Chemistry |
Proteins / Peptides |
Medicinal Chemistry |
Molecular Biology
The optical transform: Simulating diffraction experiments in introductory courses  Lisensky, George C.; Kelly, Thomas F.; Neu, Donald R.; Ellis, Arthur B.
Using optical transforms to prepare slides with patterns that will diffract red and green visible light from a laser.
Lisensky, George C.; Kelly, Thomas F.; Neu, Donald R.; Ellis, Arthur B. J. Chem. Educ. 1991, 68, 91.
X-ray Crystallography |
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Crystals / Crystallography |
Solids |
Lasers |
Materials Science
Nucleic acid structure and synthesis (Parish, J.H.)  Parker, Keith K.
A review of a software program designed to introduce current understanding of DNA and RNA structure and the dynamic processes of replication and transcription.
Parker, Keith K. J. Chem. Educ. 1988, 65, A298.
Molecular Biology
Some simple AX and AX2 structures  Wells, A. F.
Examines three of the simplest crystalline structures, that of sodium chloride, rutile, and fluorite.
Wells, A. F. J. Chem. Educ. 1982, 59, 630.
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Molecular Modeling |
Crystals / Crystallography
Strand polarity: Antiparallel molecular interactions in nucleic acids  Davidson, Michael W.; Wilson, W. David
121. The illustrations in many biochemistry textbooks indicates a parallel polarity in DNA, but in truth DNA is antiparallel.
Davidson, Michael W.; Wilson, W. David J. Chem. Educ. 1975, 52, 323.
Molecular Properties / Structure
Visualization of molecular orbitals. Formaldehyde  Olcott, Richard J.
Using a computer to generate three dimensional charge density distributions of the formaldehyde molecule.
Olcott, Richard J. J. Chem. Educ. 1972, 49, 614.
Aldehydes / Ketones |
Molecular Modeling |
Molecular Properties / Structure
Some reflections on the use and abuse of molecular models  Peterson, Quentin R.
Examines the history of the application of molecular models and model types, and proposes the construction of a new type of model.
Peterson, Quentin R. J. Chem. Educ. 1970, 47, 24.
Molecular Properties / Structure |
Molecular Modeling
The Molecular Basis of Evolution (Anfinsen, Christian B.)  Edsall, John T.

Edsall, John T. J. Chem. Educ. 1960, 37, 107.
Molecular Biology
Effects of molecular shapes  Foster, Laurence S.
A brief discussion of basic molecular shapes and how they help to determine the physical and chemical properties of substances.
Foster, Laurence S. J. Chem. Educ. 1952, 29, 156.
Molecular Properties / Structure