Students' understanding of external representations of the potassium ion channel protein
Abstract
External representations of protein molecules in biochemistry join theoretical constructs and experimental observations. The conceptual content of these external representations is frequently very high, and understanding the interaction between the visual image and the conceptual knowledge it conveys is at the heart of biochemistry. Research that has focused on external representations in biochemistry has uncovered student difficulties in comprehending and interpreting external representations. This project focuses on students' understanding of three external representations of the potassium ion channel protein. Findings will be discussed in order of 1) what features of each representation can students interpret, 2) what do students think the limitations of each representation are, and 3) how do students use the external representations to discuss the function and structure of the potassium ion channel protein.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Towns, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Chemistry|Biochemistry
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