High School Level Program

To Fold or Not to Fold

Level: High School Chemistry and Biology

Description: This is a multilevel lesson plan developed to introduce the concept of protein folding in both chemistry and biology using Villin as an example of a protein. There are three ready to use PowerPoint presentations covering the importance, the biology, and the chemistry of protein folding. Student hands-on activities are included that simulate protein folding.

Developed by: Gary Benz (American High School, Fremont, CA) and Claudia Winkler (Gunn High School, Palo Alto, CA)

 image linking to "to fold or not to fold" website (ppt)

An introduction to key terminology, the importance of protein folding, and Villin.
image linking to "the chemistry of villin" page (ppt)

A tiered introduction to protein structure using Villin as a specific protein.
image linking to the biology of protein folding page (ppt)

Includes detailed descriptions of the current mechanisms of protein folding.
image linking to the "snack presentation" page (ppt)

An activity which allows students to build a simple model that exhibits protein
folding.
image linking to "lesson plan" page (Word)

Requires students to compute the molar mass of Villin (Teacher and Student versions).
image linking to a page with a photo of the snack (ppt)
 

This work was supported by the Center on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies (CPIMA)
as part of the NSF Materials Science and Engineering Center program under Grant DMR 9808677

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