Molecular Structures for Introductory Biochemistry

Courses where structures and functions of biological macromolecules are discussed may benefit from materials found here. Images and movies from these pages have been successfully incorporated into a series of PowerPoint presentations for the UCSB course Chem 142A, which was offered during the Summer Session of 2003.

Organization

Structures are grouped into four categories. Click on the image below to follow the link.

Different Ways to Visualize a Macromolecule

VISUALIZATION

Images in this category illustrate some of the different ways how macromolecules can be rendered. Different viwes of an integral membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin are shown.

Concepts in Protein Structure

PROTEIN STRUCTURE

Images in this category illustrate secondary structure elements in proteins and some common protein folds

Concepts in Protein Function and Dynamics

PROTEIN FUNCTION

Images in this category illustrate relationships between protein structure, dynamics, and function. Active site views of some well-understood enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, haloalkane dehalogenase, and lysozyme are provided.

Concepts in Nucleic Acid Structure and Function

NUCLEIC ACIDS

Structures of base-pairs, different helical forms of DNA, and structures of various ribonucleic acids are presented.


This page was last updated Feb 10, 2004 by Kalju Kahn. Return to the main page.