Two chains from 4ins (chains C and D) in 4 representations: sticks, balls and sticks, cartoon and surface. Models were created for the Biochemistry and Structural Biology class to address one frequent misconception - the amount of space taken up by the electron clouds. Often students think that the inside of a protein or DNA contains space or solvent, which is not true.

Also, the peptide backbone in the sticks and balls and sticks models is thicker, allowing students to trace features of the peptide backbone, including the amino and carboxyl ends, peptide bonds, and alpha carbon as well as N to C direction.

Models respond to the following Biomolecular visualization learning goals (BioMolViz; DOI:10.1002/bmb.20991)

• AR2.02 students will describe the atoms that are represented in different renderings. (novice)
• MR1.01 given a rendered structure of a biological polymer students will be able to identify the ends of a biological polymer. (novice, amateur, expert)
• MR1.02 given a rendered structure, students will be able to divide the polymer into its monomer units. (novice)
• TC1.01 Students can trace the backbone of a macromolecule in three dimensions. (Novice, Amateur)
• TC1.02 Students can use appropriate terms to describe the linkages/bonds/interactions that join individual building blocks together in a macromolecule or macromolecular assembly. (Novice, Amateur)