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