IB DP Biology: HL复习笔记2.2.4 Skills: Visualising Carbohydrates

Online learning tools exist that can provide visualisations of large biomolecules

• Mouse functions can zoom and rotate molecules
• Many of these make use of JMol software, a database of large molecules that can be visualised in near-3D
• The differences between cellulose, starch and glycogen can be observed in close to 3-D quality
• An Internet search for 'molecular visualisation software' will identify some good options
• Features include
  • Loading multiple molecules to show independent movement
  • Surface topography; as many biological reactions are on a theme of 3-D shapes fitting together
  • Cavity visualisation; has applications when looking at structures eg. channel proteins in membranes
  • The appearance of atoms can be adapted to fill space or show gaps in molecules eg. the helical nature of amylose

  Having a visualisation of these molecules helps to understand how they have evolved to fulfil their specific functions