Skip to content

Amino Acids, Proteins, Enzymes and DNA — Interactive Lesson (Ages 16–18)

☆☆☆☆☆ Add your review • A-Level Chemistry, Year 12 Science & Year 13 Science • 🎓 Interactive Lesson & Activities

Students explain the acid–base behaviour of amino acids and zwitterions, describe peptide links, protein hydrolysis and the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins, and calculate Rf values from thin-layer chromatography.

Included in every Skoolmaths plan

  • This resource plus every lesson, worksheet and game in its year group
  • Interactive lessons that mark answers and read aloud
  • New resources added every month
⭐ Get every resource with a Skoolmaths plan

or buy just this resource for $4.88

✅ Instant Access
💻 Any Device
🔒 Secure Checkout
♻️ Use Anytime

Lesson at a glance

What pupils will learn

  • Explain the acid–base properties of amino acids, including zwitterions.
  • Describe how proteins are formed and hydrolysed, and the levels of protein structure.
  • Use thin-layer chromatography and Rf values to identify amino acids.
  • Explain enzyme action in terms of a stereospecific active site.
  • Describe the structure of DNA and how cisplatin works.

Curriculum

UK
Year 12–13 Science (A-level), National Curriculum (England)
Topic area
Amines, Polymers and Biomolecules
US equivalent
Grades 11–12 (year level only; not mapped to US standards)

What the lesson covers

  • Amino Acids
  • Proteins
  • Identifying Amino Acids by TLC
  • Enzymes
  • DNA
  • Cisplatin

How it is interactive

  • 8 multiple-choice questions
  • 3 true or false questions
  • 1 fill-in-the-blank question
  • 1 sorting and ordering task
  • 1 sentence-writing task
  • 1 reveal card

Feedback and what you get

Questions are marked automatically as pupils answer: a sound and a character reaction show straight away whether they are right, and correct answers earn points, with a results screen at the end. Sentence-writing tasks are for pupils' own answers and are not marked automatically.

A 24-slide interactive lesson that runs in any web browser on a computer, tablet or interactive whiteboard. Members open it online from their year group page. Buying it on its own gives you a .zip download to unzip and open.

Free preview: try the first slides before you decide. Included in every Skoolmaths plan.

From zwitterions to the double helix — and how the anticancer drug cisplatin targets DNA. This 24-slide interactive lesson on amino acids and proteins takes pupils from first ideas to exam-style explanations, with 14 self-marking activities and nothing to prepare beforehand.

Teaching Amino Acids, Proteins, Enzymes and DNA in A-level Chemistry

Students explain the acid–base behaviour of amino acids and zwitterions, describe peptide links, protein hydrolysis and the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins, and calculate Rf values from thin-layer chromatography. They explain stereospecific enzyme active sites, describe DNA nucleotides and base pairing, and explain how cisplatin binds to guanine to stop cancer cells dividing.

What Pupils Will Learn

  • Explain the acid–base properties of amino acids, including zwitterions.
  • Describe how proteins are formed and hydrolysed, and the levels of protein structure.
  • Use thin-layer chromatography and Rf values to identify amino acids.
  • Explain enzyme action in terms of a stereospecific active site.
  • Describe the structure of DNA and how cisplatin works.

What’s Included

  • 24-slide interactive lesson
  • 14 self-marking activities: multiple-choice questions, true-or-false checks, sorting tasks and fill-in-the-gap questions
  • Step-by-step teaching cards that reveal one point at a time
  • A written explanation task with a model answer for self-assessment

Why Teachers Love It

  • No prep — open it on an interactive whiteboard, laptop or tablet
  • Instant feedback explains every answer, right or wrong
  • Everyday examples make chemistry feel real
  • Works for whole-class teaching, independent study or revision

Curriculum Alignment

Supports the organic chemistry content of UK A-level Chemistry (AQA section 3.3, with equivalent OCR and Edexcel content) and prepares Nigerian students for post-SSCE study, JAMB and first-year university chemistry.

Love this? You’ll love…

Bring amino acids and proteins to life today — Add to Basket.

FAQ

What year groups is this for? Year 13 (ages 16–18), and post-SSCE students in Nigeria.

Is it self-marking? Yes — all 14 activities give instant feedback.

Do pupils need to log in? No. The lesson runs in any modern web browser.

Can I use it for revision? Yes. Pupils can replay it as often as they like, and the results screen shows which questions to review before a test.

Year GroupsA-Level Chemistry, Year 12 Science & Year 13 Science
Resource Type🎓 Interactive Lesson & Activities
FormatDigital Only
CurriculumEngland & Wales — Post-16 (Years 12–13)
Added25 October 2026

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Add your review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

🎓 Get every resource for one low price

Membership unlocks this resource plus every lesson, worksheet and activity — all subjects, all year groups, all in one place.

View Membership Plans →