Category Archives: 2. Molecular Biology

Topic 2 Molecular Biology

Here are some past essay questions: Topic 3 past essay questions

Paul Andersen describes The Molecules of Life in 10m 47s or Biological Molecules in 15m 20s.

Here are video tutorials for many assessment statements in topic 2 – and more are being added all the time. Thank you to Stephanie Castle (at UNIS, New York).

The whole topic in one monster powerpoint:

IB Biology Topic Two Biochemistry 2015 from Bob Smullen

The molecular biology of you – a great song parody by A Capella Science.

2.1 Molecules to Metabolism

Molecules to Metabolism in 8m from Dan Rott:

Or you could watch Intro to Molecular Biology from Alex Lee, or many assessment statements are covered by Stephanie Castle.

Interactive Metabolic Pathways Map: the latest edition of the iconic IUBMB-Sigma-Nicholson Metabolic Pathways Chart and here are other IUBMB Nicholson Minimaps.

In Crash Course Biology #1 – ‘that’s why Carbon is a Tramp’, Hank introduces us to the chemistry of life:

What’s in a molecule? – The science of macaroni salad from TED-Ed (3m 15s).

2.2 Water

 

2.2 Water notes to complete (created by Mrs Green).

2.2 Water in 14m from Dan Rott:

Many assessment statements are also covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

An excellent video from Mr Andersen at Bozeman Hugh School: Water, a polar molecule:

How polarity makes water behave strangely – a 4m TED-Ed video from Christina Kleinberg.

In Crash Course Biology #2: Water – Liquid Awesome, Hank teaches us why water is one of the most fascinating and important substances in the universe.

Some past paper questions answered by IB Blueprint: Chemical Elements & Water – Past Exam Paper 1 Questions;  Chemical Elements & Water – Paper 2 QuestionsPaper 2 Questions – Question 1 [Elements and water]

2.3 Carbohydrates & Lipids

Carbohydrates and Sugars – a great video from Osmosis and here is IB 2.3 Carbohydrates & Lipids in 12m 24s from Dan Rott.

A lovely site about polymers that includes starch and cellulose (with a nice animation), and here is an excellent lesson from TED-Ed on what is fat? – in a bit more detail than we need.

Key terms as flashcards from Quizlet (you also can test yourself in a number of ways):

2.4 Proteins

What is a Protein? – a superb 7m video, the first 3m 25s covers protein structure:

Here Stephanie Castle covers amino-acids are linked together by condensation reactions and Dan Rott covers IB 2.4 – Proteins in 13m from Dan Rott:

Here’s a fantastic animated tutorial from McGraw Hill Education on Protein Structure.

Some past paper questions answered by IB Blueprint: Carbohydrates, lipids & proteins – Past Exam Paper 1 QuestionsCarbohydrates, lipids & proteins – Paper 2 Questions.

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2.5 Enzymes

IB 2.5 – Enzymes in 10m from Dan Rott:


Many assessment statements are also covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

An animated, narrated tutorial on protein denaturation (frying an egg) – from Sinauer Associates. And Mr W. sings ‘Enzymes!’:

Mr Bozeman describes Enzymes:

Here are some fantastic animated tutorials from McGraw Hill Education – how enzymes worka biochemical pathway &  feedback inhibition of biochemical pathways.

LACTOSE-FREE MILK

An excellent video from HHMI BioInteractive: the evolution of lactose tolerance. Two other videos: What is lactose intolerance? in 2m 35s and lactose intolerance in 3m 30s.

Key terms as flashcards from Quizlet (you also can test yourself in a number of ways):

PRESCRIBED PRACTICAL 3 – Enzyme activity

Experimental investigation of a factor affecting enzyme activity

Enzyme experiments – notes from BioNinja

2.6 Structure of DNA & RNA

 

IB 2.6 – DNA Structure in 9m from Dan Rott:

What is DNA? – Stated Clearly (5m 24s):

DNA structure (a very simple animation in 1m 20s):

Many assessment statements are covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

Some excellent interactive animations & tutorials on DNA – just click on ‘Tour the Basics’ & ‘Build a DNA molecule’.

DNA Structure – another vid (in 3m 6s) and here is Mr W’s DNA, fantastic! rap.

How to draw a molecule of DNA (thank you Stephanie Castle):

Some past paper questions answered by IB Blueprint: DNA Structure – Past Exam Paper 1 QuestionsFormation of DNA Double Helix – [Subscriber Q&A]DNA Structure – Paper 2 Questions.

PRACTICAL – DNA EXTRACTION

2.7 DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation

DNA Replication, Transcription, & Translation in 10m from roxprice:

Many assessment statements are also covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

DNA REPLICATION

An animated tutorial from McGraw Hill Education – structural basis of DNA Replication

In Crash Course Biology #10 – DNA Structure & Replication, Hank introduces us to that wondrous molecule DNA and explains how it replicates itself in our cells.

PCR (the POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION)

For the Polymerase Chain Reaction – click on ‘PCR’ to see an Interactive Animation from Wiley or here for two animated tutorials from McGraw Hill Education – PCR. Or why not use PCR yourself in a Virtual Lab from Learn.Genetics (labs on PCR & DNA extraction). Or there’s a 12m PCR for A level video; a 4m video on PCR hereand from the DNA Learning Center (1m 28s):

The PCR song:

MESELSON & STAHL experiment (proof of semi-conservative replication)

Great animation from McGraw-Hill and here’s a 4m video from Mr Andersen on the Meselson-Stahl experiment or from Youreka Science the most beautiful experiment in Biology (7m 33s).

TRANSCRIPTION & TRANSLATION

Transcription & translation, a 2m 51s animation:

Simple Gene Expressionanimated tutorial from McGraw Hill Education

This will take you step-by-step through transcription & translation and here is a translation animation – short and simple.

In Crash Course Biology #11 – Transcription & Translation, Hank imagines himself breaking into the Hot Pockets factory to steal their secret recipes and instruction manuals in order to help us understand how the processes known as DNA transcription and translation allow our cells to build proteins.

Some past paper questions answered by IB Blueprint: DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation – Past Exam Paper 1 Questions: Paper 2 QuestionsQuestion 17 [Conservation of DNA sequence during replication]

2.8 Cell Respiration

Find a video lesson on this sub-topic at Dan Rott videos, or many assessment statements are covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

In Crash Course Biology #7 – ATP & Respiration, in which Hank does some push-ups for science and describes the “economy” of cellular respiration and the various processes whereby our bodies create energy in the form of ATP.

RESPIROMETER

AP Biology Lab 5: Cellular Respiration from Mr Andersen

A respirometer simulation from Pearson

2.9 Photosynthesis

A good, general overview of Photosynthesis (2m 47s):

In Crash Course Biology #8 – Photosynthesis, Hank explains, well, photosynthesis.

The simple story of photosynthesis and food from TED-Ed. Find a video lesson on this sub-topic at Dan Rott videos, or many assessment statements are covered by Stephanie Castle (with more being added all the time).

Photosynthesis and Respiration compared in a lovely interactive tutorial

PRACTICAL – Rate of Photosynthesis

Here are two from BiologyCorner: Photosynthesis Virtual Lab and Algal beads and Photosynthesis.

Dynamics of Photosynthesis – a lab simulation and from Gizmos – Photosynthesis Lab.

PRESCRIBED PRACTICAL 4 – Chromatography of plant pigments

Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph

One way to do it is this: chlorophyll chromatography and an alternative method includes how to calculate Rf values. Hopefully the final result will be this. An alternative method:

 SAPS sheet 10 – TLC

Chromatographs – notes from BioNinja

Plant pigment chromatography, from Olabs