structural proteins are molecular scaffolding

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Categories: Comparisons

An example of analogy used in popular science writing:

"Structural proteins are often referred to as the molecular scaffolding of life, and the analogy is quite apt since so many structural proteins are long fibres or rods; but we think of scaffolding as a static, unchanging, framework. Imagine, however, a structure built of scaffolding in which some of the scaffolding rods were able to slide past one another and then hold the whole framework in new positions."

Andrew Scott

Scott, A. (1988). Vital Principles. The molecular mechanisms of life. Basil Blackwell. (Read about this book: Making molecular mechanisms familiar –
A reflection on the pedagogy in Andrew Scott's 'Vital Principles'
).

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[Please be aware that a word may have different nuances, or even a different meaning, according to context.]« Back to Index

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.