Little is known concerning chemistry and biochemistry majors' understanding of research and scientific inquiry. In this three-year qualitative research study, chemistry and biochemistry majors were interviewed before and after participating in a National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at a…

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) incorporate research opportunities into the existing curriculum often by providing alternatives or replacing the traditional cookbook-based laboratory courses. Over the past 50 years, CURE courses have been shown to benefit both students and faculty members alike. Despite the large number of…

The ability to navigate and understand the chemical literature is integral to the scientific research process. Learning these skills is therefore an important, though often overwhelming, part of an undergraduate chemical education. We describe an inquiry-based program designed to help chemistry students begin to learn to search and read the…

Provides an introduction to the field of molecular evolution. Changes in genetic material and proteins help to time the stages of species evolution. (BB)

Summarizes studies in the area of biochemical evolution of iron, copper, and heme proteins to provide an historical outline. Included are lists of major kinds of proteins and enzymes and charts illustrating electron flow in a cytochrome electron transport system and interconversion of jerrous to ferric ion in iron metabolism. (CC)

Provides a general overview of fluoro-organic biochemistry and illuminates areas where further study is desirable. (BB)

This article is designed to inform chemical educators not engaged in this technology as to the nature and methods used in the technology, the reasons for scientific and social concern, and the attempts made to assuage concerns involving recombinant DNA research. (author/BB)

A brief discussion of neurophysiology, neurotransmitters, and the effect of psychoactive drugs on brain diseases such as schizophrenia. (BB)

Discusses apparatus, techniques, and measurements used to determine cell membrane composition. The use of a film balance to study monolayer membranes of selected lipids is described and results reported. (TS)

Describes a biochemical concept called Mitchell's chemiosmotic hypothesis, which proposes a system that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate. The system is reversible and causes a translocation of protons across a physiological membrane. (MLH)

Outlines the chemistry of the rapid synthesis of relatively large DNA fragments (100-200 monomers each) with yields exceeding 99 percent per coupling. DNA synthesis methodologies are outlined and a polymer-supported synthesis of DNA using deoxynucleoside phosphoramidites is described with structural formulas. (YP)

Describes current and cutting-edge research on proteins that may spark the interest of biology students. Contains 27 references. (WRM)

The broad area of biochemistry is surveyed. Subtopics include nuclei acids, peptide hormones, cell surfaces, and enzymology. (MDR)