The amino acids and nucleic acids are units of two fundamental molecules of life: proteins and DNA. University and college Introductory Biochemistry courses typically concentrate on understanding the structures and chemical properties of the amino acids and nucleic acids as an integral part of understanding how proteins and DNA function within living cells. The Biochem Euchre Deck was designed as a tool for students to learn the structures and properties of the amino acids of proteins and nucleic acids of DNA. The cards contain nomenclature and structural information, along with some amino acid-specific information. Alpha and beta secondary structure propensity scores are also given and may be used in upper-year courses dealing with protein structure. Quizzes are provided to help the students associate the full names, 3-letter codes, and single-letter codes for the amino acids. Students also learn to associate amino acids with classes based on their chemical properties.
