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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2009  > June  >
Chemistry for Everyone
JCE Classroom Activity
[#102] Investigating Self-Assembly with Macaroni
David A. Burgan and Lane A. Baker
Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
Cover
June 2009
Vol. 86 No. 6
p. 704A

Abstract
In this activity students learn the concept of self-assembly, a powerful tool for creating ordered structures in chemistry and biology. A macroscale example—self-organized macaroni noodles—is described in analogy to the self-assembly of lipid molecules that make up the membranes of cells, or to self-assembled materials, such as self-assembled monolayers. This activity can be incorporated in discussions of noncovalent interactions in general chemistry or in discussions of cell membrane structure in biochemistry. The final product of this activity is a nonhazardous macroscale example of self-assembly that students can poke, prod, and investigate.
Supplement
Slides with schematic representations of molecular self-assembly as well as photographs of the activity
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Contents
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Citation
Burgan, David A.; Baker, Lane A. J. Chem. Educ. 2009, 86, 704A.
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Keywords
Analogies / Transfer; Biochemistry; Biological Cells; Biophysical Chemistry; Fatty Acids; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning; Lipids; Materials Science; Membranes; Nanotechnology; Noncovalent Interactions; Physical Chemistry
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
4/20/2009
5/4/2009
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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