Browsing Molecular Foundations

A molecular approach to biology must develop in students an understanding of molecules, their interactions and the consequences of these interactions. Biological phenomenon now more than ever rely on chemical and physical principles for molecular explanations of the phenomenon. We have selected 10 physical-chemical principles that underlie many biological processes: we call them "Molecular Stepping Stones." Below are links to entry level model-based activities for the Stepping Stones.

Activities

• 0.1 Prerequisite - Atomic Structure (SAM)
  
  
• 0.2 Prerequisite - Solids, Liquids, and Gases
  
  
• 1. Random Motion - Thermal (Brownian) Motion: Atoms and Molecules Are Always Moving
  
  
• 2.0 Spatial Equilibrium - Spatial Equilibrium: Modeling a Gas
  
  
• 2.1 Diffusion, Osmosis, and Equilibrium - Diffusion, Osmosis, and Dialysis
  
  
• 3. Strong Chemical Bonds - Strong Chemical Bonds (SAM)
  
  
• 4. Compounds - The Tree of Life's Macromolecules
  
  
• 5.0 Intermolecular Forces - Van der Waals Attractions (SAM)
  
  
• 5.1 Intermolecular Forces - Dissolving
  
  
• 6. Molecular Folding and Self-Assembly - Protein Folding (Stepping Stones-Full Activity)
  
  
• 6.1 Molecular Folding and Self-Assembly - Self-Assembly with Nanomanufacturing
  
  
• 7. Structure and Function in Proteins - Structure of Proteins: Insulin
  
  
• 8. Chemical Reactions and Catalysis - Reaction Rates, Catalysis, and Pasteurization
  
  
• 9.0 From Genetic Code to Protein Structure - DNA to Protein Synthesis
  
  
• 9.1 From Genetic Code to Protein Structure - Mutations: Changing the Genetic Code
  
  
• 10. Genotype to Phenotype - Introduction to BioLogica