Molecular Construction Kit: Joining Molecules Together to Make Macromolecules

Interactive, scaffolded model

Overview and Learning Objectives

Students use the computer model, the Molecular Construction Kit, to build polymers from monomers. They employ "sticky points," called "functional groups" by scientists (polarized groups of atoms in molecules capable of linking to each other with covalent bonds) in their explanations of those monomer properties necessary to build linear, branching, or circular polymers.

Students will be able to:

• Articulate where living beings obtain their monomers, the building blocks of the cell's polymers;
• Build a polymer from monomers and employ the concept of "sticky points" (activated atoms on monomers) to explain the formation of linear, branching, or circular polymers.

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Assessment

See questions 1, 3 and 4 from the following pre/post test:

http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/unitIV_revised/prepost_monomers.html

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Central Concepts

Key Concept:

In living cells a small set of monomers is used to create a large variety of polymers. Each polymer is unique in the number and type of monomers used to build it. Polymer chains can be linear, branching, or even circular.

Additional Related Concepts

Molecular Biology

• Lipid
• Macromolecules

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Macro Micro Link

Students link physiological functions of cells and organisms with the underlying macromolecules responsible for these functions.

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Activity Credits

Created by CC Project: Molecular Workbench using Flash

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Requirements

• Adobe Flash Plugin

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