ERIC Number: EJ1461240
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Enhancing Students' Understanding of Saccharides By 3D Printed Glucose Models
Shi-Huan Guo; Yixuan Zhu; Junlong Zhao
Journal of Chemical Education, v102 n2 p573-582 2025
Teaching the three-dimensional structure of saccharides has consistently been a challenging aspect of organic chemistry courses, impeding students' ability to grasp more advanced topics in biochemistry and food chemistry. In this article, we designed and developed a novel d-glucopyranose model using 3D printing technology for the first time. This model can be adapted into other glucose-like monosaccharides through simple painting techniques. Notably, the model can also be utilized for the assembly of various saccharides, including maltose, cellobiose, amylose, amylopectin, glycogen, cyclodextrin, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, and heparin. It serves as an intuitive and movable tool to visualize glycosidic bond types and molecular shapes of saccharide. Hands-on activities have demonstrated that these glucose models could significantly enhance students' comprehension of the three-dimensional structure of saccharides, thereby reinforcing their comprehension of the physical and chemical properties and functions of these macromolecules. The modular assembly method significantly reduces the volume of the models and simplifies the operation compared with the ball and stick model. Furthermore, these models are compact and reusable, making them highly practical for educational use.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Chemistry, Science Instruction, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Structure, Biochemistry, Foods Instruction, Models, Hands on Science, Science Achievement
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: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A