Name:__________________________ and _____________________________
HONC if you like building models
Introduction - Purpose
Sometimes chemists and biochemists will build 3-dimensional models of molecules that they are studying. These
models, because they are more realistic than 2-dimensional drawings, help them to better understand how the
molecules are able to function the way that they do.
The purpose of this activity is to build 3-dimensional models of some biologically important molecules.
Materials: Molecular model kits, pencil, your brain
Notice each atom in the kit has a certain number of holes. Remember what we talked about in
lecture: what do you thing each hole represents?
When two atoms from the kit are connected to one another the plastic connector represents a bond.
How many bonds can each of the atoms form?
C = __________ Bonds
H = __________ Bonds
O = __________ Bonds
N = __________ Bonds
S = __________ Bonds
P = __________ Bonds
Instructions
1. Using the molecular model kits, build structural models of the following molecules. Remember the HONC rule!
Take a picture of your molecule and paste it in the chart. Use the web to check to make sure your models are
correct.
Molecule
Chemical Formula
oxygen gas
O2
hydrogen gas
H2
methane gas
CH4
carbon dioxide
CO2
water
H2O
glucose
C6H12O6
the amino acid alanine
C3H7O2N
Structural Formula
Extra credit: Build a model of an important biological molecule out of some sort or materials
easily available at home. Make a key of what represents each atom and bond. Turn in your model,
key and picture of the structure of the real molecule. You can earn up to 25 points with this
assignment.