Biochemistry Interactive Video Animations

Biochemistry Animations

Interactive Animations

Many of the interactive animations presented here promote the visual conceptualization of complex biochemical processes. Others provide students with fun, innovative ways of learning and remembering important biochemical concepts.

Animations by John Wiley and Sons Publishers, Inc.
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The Chemical Basis of Life

The Macromolecules of Life - Carbon

Life on earth is carbon based. The large molecules that are found in cells all contain carbon. While the chemistry of life is basically water chemistry because of the high percentage of water in cells (70% to 95%) the chemistry of the biological molecules, biochemistry, is carbon chemistry. What makes carbon so important is its ability to form 4 covalent bonds with other atoms. Its atomic number is 6 so its electrons are found in the 2-4 energy shell configuration. Carbon would have to gain or lose 4 electrons to become an ion. This is difficult to do, so instead, it shares electrons to fill its outer energy shell. Carbon can be thought of as the wheel in a tinkertoy set to which other components are attached. They can be joined by single or double bonds and connect in chains or rings, making carbon extremely versatile.

Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis

The monomers of organic compounds join together by a chemical reaction know as dehydration synthesis to make polymers. The reverse reaction of breaking up polymers is accomplished by another chemical reaction known as hydrolysis. The following animation's illustrate these reactions.

Animations by RM Chute

Enantiomers

Chirality Animation by Prenhall

Amino Acid and Protein Structure

Animation by John Kyrk

Biomolecules from Wisc-Online

Biomolecules: The Carbohydrates by Barbara Liang
Biomolecules: The Lipids by Barbara Liang
Biomolecules: Proteins by Barbara Liang

Proteins and Proteomics Animations (Rediscovering Biology)

Mass Spectrometer: A depiction of what happens inside a mass spectrometer.

The Evolution of Protein-Protein Interactions: A depiction of how evolution can affect how proteins interact with other proteins. The Three-Dimensional Structure of a Protein: A depiction of the subsets of a protein structure. Virtual Ligand Screening in Drug Design: Shows how a computer program can be used to fit potential drug molecules into a site of interest on a protein.