Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
14:37
Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware
Published on: December 25, 2021
Bridging the educational research-teaching practice gap: Foundations for assessing and developing biochemistry
Konrad J Schönborn1, Trevor R Anderson
1Department of Science and Technology (ITN), Division of Media and Information Technology, Linköping University, Sweden.
Summary
Visual literacy is key for biochemistry students to understand complex concepts using external representations (ERs). Developing visual skills alongside learning ensures deeper comprehension and better academic outcomes in biochemistry.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry education
- Scientific visualization
- Cognitive science in education
Background:
- External representations (ERs) like diagrams and models are crucial for biochemistry learning.
- Visual literacy, the ability to interpret and visualize ERs, is essential for conceptual understanding.
- Students need specific cognitive skills to effectively learn from biochemical ERs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a model of factors influencing learning from ERs in biochemistry.
- To identify key cognitive skills for visual literacy in biochemistry.
- To provide a foundation for assessing and developing students' visual literacy.
Main Methods:
- Described a seven-factor model for learning from ERs.
- Identified eight core cognitive skills for visual literacy using the model and literature review.
- Developed example tasks for assessing visual literacy.
Main Results:
- A model detailing seven factors impacting students' learning from ERs was established.
- Eight essential cognitive skills for visual literacy in biochemistry were identified.
- Sample assessment tasks were created to measure and enhance visual literacy.
Conclusions:
- Visual literacy is fundamental for developing robust conceptual understanding in biochemistry.
- Biochemistry curricula must integrate the development of visual skills with learning outcomes.
- Enhancing visual literacy is critical for effective biochemistry education.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Vision
Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.
02:05Calculating Equilibrium Concentrations
Being able to calculate equilibrium concentrations is essential to many areas of science and technology—for example, in the formulation and dosing of pharmaceutical products. After a drug is ingested or injected, it is typically involved in several chemical equilibria that affect its ultimate concentration in the body system of interest. Knowledge of the quantitative aspects of these equilibria is required to compute a dosage amount that will solicit the desired therapeutic effect.
A more...
A more...
02:20The Small x Assumption
If a reaction has a small equilibrium constant, the equilibrium position favors the reactants. In such reactions, a negligible change in concentration may occur if the initial concentrations of reactants are high and the Kc value is small. In such circumstances, the equilibrium concentration is approximately equal to its initial concentration. This estimation can be used to simplify the equilibrium calculations by assuming that some equilibrium concentrations are equal to the initial...
01:18Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
Optical microscopy uses optic principles to provide detailed images of samples. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek designed the first compound optical microscope in the 17th century to visualize blood cells, bacteria, and yeast cells. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes with enhanced magnification and resolution.
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
01:22Bioavailability Enhancement: Determination and Conceptual Approaches in Overcoming Bioavailability Problems
Bioavailability is a critical pharmacological concept that measures the extent and rate at which an active drug ingredient or therapeutic moiety enters the systemic circulation, remaining unchanged. It's a pivotal factor in determining a drug's efficacy and safety.The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) plays an essential role in drug development by categorizing drugs into four classes based on their solubility and permeability. This classification aids in understanding drug absorption...
01:19Introduction to Enzyme Kinetics
Enzyme kinetics studies the rates of biochemical reactions. Scientists monitor the reaction rates for a particular enzymatic reaction at various substrate concentrations. Additional trials with inhibitors or other molecules that affect the reaction rate may also be performed.
The experimenter can then plot the initial reaction rate or velocity (Vo) of a given trial against the substrate concentration ([S]) to obtain a graph of the reaction properties. For many enzymatic reactions involving a...
The experimenter can then plot the initial reaction rate or velocity (Vo) of a given trial against the substrate concentration ([S]) to obtain a graph of the reaction properties. For many enzymatic reactions involving a...