ERIC Number: EJ1444515
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-May
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: N/A
Binding Interaction Activities Powered by Desmos
Paige M. Russell; Jeffrey P. Potratz
Journal of Chemical Education, v100 n5 p2027-2032 2023
Three computer-based activities focusing on fundamentals of binding interactions are described that are powered by Desmos, freely available web-based software. The software allows the instructor to monitor the progress of each student completing the activity by privately viewing their answers in real time, to enforce class pacing by modulating which parts of the activity are available at certain times, to acquire the full attention of the class for vital teaching moments by pausing the activity at will, and to promote learning by seamlessly graphing and fitting nonlinear data. Students learn that binding interactions are governed by kinetics and energetics which dictate affinities and binding curves. A generic binding interaction is used to derive an equation describing a hyperbolic-binding curve, and given binding curves are used to identify K[subscript d] values and relate them to relative affinities. This leads into a case study using myoglobin and oxygen where given binding curves are used to identify P[subscript 50] values and relative values are justified via the energetics of the particular binding site. Last, students use nonlinear regression to fit imported binding data to the derived equation to construct a binding curve and determine the P[subscript 50] affinity value. Students report acclimating to the Desmos environment quickly and an increased understanding of the relationship between K[subscript d] and binding affinity. After the activities, students are prepared for a lab analyzing hyperbolic binding and discussions on allosteric binding and sigmoidal curves. Ultimately, steps are laid out for instructors to try using Desmos, and thoroughly developed and assessed activities involving graphical biochemistry content are provided for use.
Descriptors: Computer Software, Science Activities, Science Instruction, Computer Uses in Education, Biochemistry
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A