Theo Slaudenmayer
Institute for Botany Geisenheim, Rhine, Germany
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A Teaching Model for Alcoholic hrmentation
functioning model of the steps of fermentation was developed for teaching purposes to facilitate the understanding of the sequence of alcoholic fermentation reactions for the beginning biochemistry student. This model reveals the scheme of the reactions, including the corresponding enzymes and coenzymes, in an attractive representation. The models of the individual molecules, made of colored lamps, are placed on a board (250- X 150-cm) within a schematic representation of a yeast cell. The energy-rich phosphate groups are emphasized by using brighter lamps. For clarity, the enzymes are represented by numbers on the board and are listed on a separate table. Moving chains of light, representing the groups transported, flow among the illuminated signs which show the abbreviations of the individnal coenzymes. Corresponding to the course of the reaction, the individual molecules and enzymes are lighted via a small switchboard as are the moving chains of
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Journol o f Chemical Education
light.
For example, one step is as follows:
(1) Glucose enzyme 1 (hemkinme) chain of lights ap(2) Glueose pearing from 4TP enzyme 1 glucose-6-phosphate chain of (3) Glucose lights to ADP, etc.
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For clarity, from phosphoglyceraldehyde onward the reaction is continued with only one molecule (as a reminder, a multiple of 2 is placed on the side). The ATP gain is represented in a so-called pool. The blocking of the acetaldehyde by Hi303 which leads to the glycerine formation in the Xeuberg I1 scheme is also shown in abbreviated form in this demonstration. This model permits any adjustments in speed needed during a lecture, in contrast to an animated cartoon film demonstration of the fermentation process. Other reaction sequences such as the citric acid cycle can be represented in a similar fashion.
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