Category Archives: Chemistry of Life (Core & AHL)
Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation linklist
There are many decent Flash animations and the like on the internet, but the majority cannot be embedded. Below this YouTube video, there are some direct links to resources, some of which can be easily saved.
Learn.Genetics @ Utah
Transcribe and Translate (good, basic, interactive)
How do fireflies glow? (puts it in context)
University of Nebraska:
Protein Synthesis overview (Good enough for SL)
Transcription Details (fits DP Bio HL very well)
Translation Details (fits DP Bio HL very well)
John Kyrk: (visit the parent site at www.johnkyrk.com – excellent)
Transcription (fits DP Bio HL very well)
Translation (fits DP Bio HL very well)
St. Olaf College
Transcription (clear and simple)
Translation (clear and simple)
WH Freeman
RNA Splicing tutorial (HL only)
Bio3400
Translation with a genetic code dictionary (shows position in the ribosome)
Some more in-depth animations (newly added):
Translation from Wiley Interscience
Translation from LSU Medschool
Translation from The Chinese University in Hong Kong
Protein targeting from Rockefeller University
Learn.Genetics @ Utah
Easily the best Genetics resource out there. Loads of Flash animations, Shockwave virtual labs and up-to-date information. Well worth spending some time there and seeing what could be used in class. Teachers can register for news and teaching ideas.
Virtual labs include DNA Extraction, Gel Electrophoresis and a DNA Microarray. Perfect for the DP Genetics unit.
DNA Extraction: a simple method and a music video
A simple DNA extraction worksheet is posted in the BOX on the right.
Alternatively, go here.
This video shows a guy extracting pea DNA and using it to draw a portrait of Darwin.
(Music Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Tick)
5,000 views and another Brainiac post
Thanks for the support.
Here are the Brainiacs looking at the differences between fat and thin people.
In these two clips, we can see the buoyant and thermal properties of lipids – ideal for the IBDP Bio statement on the properties of lipids.
Hip-Hip-Hooray for DNA
I don’t know how sincere this is – it sounds like it might’ve been heavily influenced by Monty Python – but it’s catchy and I like it. Peter Weatherall has a few if these on YouTube, so go and have a look.
Another catchy one (this time about photosynthesis) after the jump.
Cell Respiration Animation – keeping it simple
Click here for a decent animation of the process of cellular respiration.
ACD Labs: Chemsketch – free modelling software
It’s not really a video, but you can build molecular models and make them move around on the screen, so it just about qualifies. It takes a wee while to get used to, but is worth the effort.
Demo videos here. Manuals here.
DP Bio teachers can use it to satisfy the modeling software stipulation of the 4/PSOW form. Enjoy!
EDIT – there is a shareware ($24.95) gif to flv encoder available here. I haven’t found any free software that can convert gif animations to flv files, so if anyone can help out, please let us know.
I have put a simple Chemsketch tutorial on making and animating glycine (word 2007 doc and SMART Board notebook file) in the downloads box on the right of this blog.
EDIT AGAIN:
The joys of Chemsketch are almost limitless. Here is proof: 
I Love Wales
This site has a good few downloadable SMART Board resources and the like. There’s a nice, simple enzymes activity right here. Their KS3 Science area has some Physics and Chemistry resources, too.
Some cool blood biochemistry
This video is almost too cool:
oxidation of blood by hydrogen peroxide
Comes from ETH Experiments online (Zurich), link courtesy if bogstandardcomp from the TES Science boards.
To watch, you need to download the RealVideo file (small file)
“Carboxyl groups: really important. Don’t forget those bad boys – ooh!”
Thanks to Karen Smith for this link: Thinkwell virtual textbooks. 
They have a sample video online here:
http://www.thinkwell.com/marketing/demos/play.cfm
It’s about 10mins long, is about functional side-groups and is actually pretty entertaining.
EDIT:
Here’s the link Karen intended – an animation about protein synthesis:
i-Biology 