Visualising the shape of a molecule is difficult for untrained eyes. Currently, the price a set of chemistry molecular model is too dear in Malaysia, and hardly student-friendly. My hope was that the use of balloons, which is easily manipulated and inexpensive, could help students to build a huge model of penicillin molecule. This model would help students see its bent shape far easier than 2D projections. FYI, the overall cost of this lecture (balloons etc.) came close to the price of one chemistry molecular model set! The beautiful thing about this exercise: it benefitted almost 120 students rather than just one or two.

1. Suggest a shape for penicillin...

2. General structure
H Thiozolidine ring
RHN
Acylamino
S
6 5 1
side chain 2
7 4
N 3
Carboxylic acid
O side chain
OH
O
!-lactam ring
Penicillin

3. How can we make
ap pear
penicillin BIG
in
your hands?

4. 6
steps

5. 1
Step
Find a
partner

6. 2
Step
You your partner have
Three
balloons
Two long
One short