Please note that these resources have not all been tested in schools. We would greatly appreciate any feedback on the resources (good or otherwise!), and encourage you to submit feedback via our online form here.
A note on resources:
We have designed a range of teaching and learning resources to suit the needs of students and teachers. These resources fall into four different categories.
Please note that some of these resources have been designed to be used in both biology and chemistry courses, as a considerable amount of protein and DNA biochemistry overlaps the two fields. As such, some of the biology-specific resources below may have small sections which are traditionally chemical. Please use your own professional judgment when using these resources, individual teachers know best which areas are most useful for their specific courses, and as such are best place to advise on material. If any of the questions are less relevant for your particular course, then feel free to skip those questions. Nevertheless, the materials presented here will still be scientifically relevant, and will hopefully encourage students to explore widely, read deeply, and develop a strong understanding of various biochemical principles.
A note on resources:
We have designed a range of teaching and learning resources to suit the needs of students and teachers. These resources fall into four different categories.
- Theory sheets are content driven and explain the underlying biological and chemical principles behind a topic.
- Worksheets are formative assessments which have been designed to allow students to explore real structures of protein and DNA samples. These allow students to contextualise the theory which is contained within the theory sheets. Many of the worksheets use the freely downloadable software PyMOL, or the PDBe website. Guides on how to access and use these can be found on our Introductory Resources page.
- Quiz sheets are designed as summative tests with formative answers. The quizzes test student understanding on a particular area, but the answers provided are design to help the students probe deeper into the material where appropriate, to further develop their appreciation for the scientific principles.
- Lastly there are A3 revision maps too, which allow students to consolidate their knowledge and ensure a solid understanding of the material covered.
Please note that some of these resources have been designed to be used in both biology and chemistry courses, as a considerable amount of protein and DNA biochemistry overlaps the two fields. As such, some of the biology-specific resources below may have small sections which are traditionally chemical. Please use your own professional judgment when using these resources, individual teachers know best which areas are most useful for their specific courses, and as such are best place to advise on material. If any of the questions are less relevant for your particular course, then feel free to skip those questions. Nevertheless, the materials presented here will still be scientifically relevant, and will hopefully encourage students to explore widely, read deeply, and develop a strong understanding of various biochemical principles.
Theory Sheets |
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TA1 - Biochemistry Basics Explains the basic biochemical principles of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and DNA
download here: ta1_biochemistry_basics.pdf
TA2 - Amino Acids Explains fundamental amino acid biochemistry including structure, zwitterions, and triplet codes
download here: ta2_amino_acids.pdf
TA3 - Peptide Bonds Describes the formation of peptide bonds, including the mechanisms involved. The chemistry of amide bonds, and the principles of hydrolysis and condensation reactions are explained, as well as equilibria.
download here: ta3_peptide_bonds.pdf
TA9 - Primary Structure Explains the nature of the primary structure of a protein
download here: ta9_primary_structure.pdf
TA4 - Secondary Structures Explains the different forms of protein secondary structure, including their chemical and biological causes.
download here: ta4_secondary_structures.pdf
TA5 - Tertiary and Quaternary Structures Explains the reasons why proteins fold into specific 3D shapes, including the different interactions which cause this. The relationship between the genetic code and overall protein structure is also briefly discussed.
download here: ta5_tertiary_and_quaternary_structures.pdf
TA6 - Enzymes and Inhibitors Explains how proteins act as enzymes, including the complementary of active sites, and the effect of inhibitors
download here: ta6_enzymes_and_inhibitors.pdf
TA7 - DNA Structure and Base Pairing Explains the structure of nucleotides and DNA, including complementary base pairing
download here: ta7_dna_structure_and_base_pairing.pdf
TA8 - DNA Summary Sheet Explains the basic structure of DNA nucleotides and polynucleotides
download here: ta8_dna_summary_sheet.pdf
TA10 - Enzyme Inhibitors Explores enzyme inhibitors and conditions
download here: ta10_enzyme_inhibitors.pdf
TA11 - Insulin Structure and Bonding Explores the different protein structures within insulin
download here: ta11_insulin_structure_and_bonding.pdf
TA12 - Protein NMR Explores the use of NMR in protein structure determination, as well as interpreting errors
download here: ta12_protein_nmr.pdf
TA13 - Metalloproteins Explores the use of metalloproteins in enzymes
download here: ta13_metalloproteins.pdf
TB1 - Hemoglobin and Conjugated Proteins Uses hemoglobin to explain the principle of conjugated proteins, and explains why CO can be so deadly
download here: tb1_hemoglobin_and_conjugated_proteins.pdf
TB2 - Enzyme Specificity Explores active sites, catalytic triads, and specificity
download here: tb2_enzyme_specificity.pdf
TB3 - Lock and Key vs. Induced Fit Describes the differences between the lock and key, and the induced fit models of enzyme action
download here: tb3_lock_and_key_vs_induced_fit.pdf
TB4 - Enzymes as Biological Catalysts Explains what catalysts are and how they work, as well as explaining the uses of biological catalysts such as enzymes as detergents
download here: tb4_enzymes_as_biological_catalysts.pdf
TB5 - Rate of Enzyme Reactions Explains how changes in pH, temperature, and concentration of enzymes and substrates will effect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction. The effects of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors are also considered
download here: tb5_rate_of_enzyme_reactions.pdf
TB6 - Nucleic Acids Describes the differences between RNA and DNA, including their uses. Also explains the structural differences of their nucleotides and polynucleotides
download here: tb6_nucleic_acids.pdf
TB7 - ATP Explains the structure, function, and synthesis of ATP
download here: tb7_atp.pdf
TB8 - CRISPR-Cas9 Genomic Editing and Bioethics Explains possible uses and ethics of genetic engineering, as well as the method of CRISPR-Cas9
download here: tb8_crispr-cas9_genomic_editing_and_bioethics.pdf
TB9 - Monomers and Polymers Explains the chemical basis of polymerisation as applied to biological systems
download here: tb9_monomers_and_polymers.pdf
TB10 - Reverse Transcriptase Explores the reverse transcriptase enzyme and its use by retroviruses
download here: tb10_reverse_transcriptase.pdf
TB11 - hCG Protein Explores the human chorionic gonadotrophin enzyme which is produced within the placenta
download here: tb11_hcg_protein.pdf
Worksheets |
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WA1 - Amino Acids Uses the PDBe website to explore the amino acid biochemistry, including structure, zwitterions, polymerisation, and bonding.
download here: wa1_amino_acids_questions.pdf wa1_amino_acids_answers.pdf
WA2 - Interactions within Proteins Explores the many different chemical interactions which create the overall structure of a protein, using insulin as an example
download here: wa2_interactions_within_proteins_questions.pdf wa2_interactions_within_proteins_answers.pdf 4m4j_insulin_ss_cuhis.pse requires PyMOL
WA3 - Conjugated Proteins Explores hemoglobin as an example of a conjugated protein, considering how non-protein groups can bind to proteins, and the chemistry of Fe(II) within heme
download here: wa3_conjugated_proteins_questions.pdf wa3_conjugated_proteins_answers.pdf
WA4 - Mutations and Protein Structure Explains how mutations within DNA can affect the structure and function of the protein, using protease as an example
download here: wa4_mutations_and_protein_structure_questions.pdf wa4_mutations_and_protein_structure_answers.pdf 1tyn_inhibitor_mutated.pse requires PyMOL
WA5 - Active Sites and Mutations Explores the nature and effects of inhibitors, as well as the effect of mutations within an active site. Chiral substrates, computational modelling and drug production are also considered
download here: wa5_active_sites_and_mutations_questions.pdf wa5_active_sites_and_mutations_answers.pdf 3fx5_hiv_protease_mutation.pse requires PyMOL
WA6 - Ibuprofen as an Inhibitor Explores the concept of a drug acting as an inhibitor by binding to an active site
download here: wa6_ibuprofen_as_an_inhibitor_questions.pdf wa6_ibuprofen_as_an_inhibitor_answers.pdf 1igz_1eqg_ibuprofen_cox_animation.pse requires PyMOL
WA7 - DNA Structure Explores the structure of DNA nucleotides and the process of polymerisation into DNA polynucleotides
download here: wa7_dna_structure_questions.pdf wa7_dna_structure_answers.pdf requires PyMOL
WA8 - DNA Base Pairing Explores the structure of a DNA double helix, and the nature of complementary base pairing within
download here: wa8_dna_base_pairing_questions.pdf wa8_dna_base_pairing_answers.pdf requires PyMOL
WA9 - Histones, Superhelices, and Quaternary Structures Explores the quaternary structure of proteins, and the structure of DNA double helices using a histone-DNA complex
download here: wa9_histones_superhelices_and_quaternary_structures_questions.pdf wa9_histones_superhelices_and_quaternary_structures_answers.pdf 1aoi_superhelices_animation.pse requires PyMOL
WA10 - Viewing Cisplatin Guides the user to explore the interaction of cisplatin and DNA using PyMOL
download here: wa10_viewing_cisplatin.pdf requires PyMOL
WB1 - Structural Proteins: Collagen and Keratin Explores collagen and keratin as examples of structural proteins
download here: wb1_structural_proteins_keratin_and_collagen_questions.pdf wb1_structural_proteins_keratin_and_collagen_answers.pdf 4zry_keratin.pse 3wn8_collagen.pse requires PyMOL
Quiz sheets |
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QA1 - Amino Acid Biochemistry Tests some of the key chemical and biological principles underlying amino acids
download here: qa1_amino_acid_biochemistry_questions.pdf qa1_amino_acid_biochemistry_answers.pdf
QA2 - Amino Acid Interactions Tests understanding of the interactions of amino acids within proteins and active sites. Also explores the action of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.
download here: qa2_amino_acid_interactions_questions.pdf qa2_amino_acid_interactions_answers.pdf
QA3 - Intramolecular Forces Tests understanding of the different intramolecular interactions which are involved in protein folding and structure
download here: qa3_intramolecular_forces_questions.pdf qa3_intramolecular_forces_answers.pdf
QA4 - Tertiary Structure and Specificity Explores the relationship between amino acid residues, bonding, and tertiary structure. As well as the specificity of active sties, chirality, lock and key, and induced fit models
download here: qa4_tertiary_structure_and_specificity_questions.pdf qa4_tertiary_structure_and_specificity_answers.pdf
QA5 - Inhibitors Explores inhibitors and substrate binding, as well as computational modelling of active sites.
download here: qa5_inhibitors_questions.pdf qa5_inhibitors_answers.pdf
QA6 - DNA Summary Sheet Tests the TA8 DNA Summary Sheet. Explores the basics of DNA nucleotides, structure, and pairing.
download here: qa6_dna_summary_sheet_questions.pdf qa6_dna_summary_sheet_answers.pdf
QA7 - Nucleic Acids Tests understanding of the structure and function of DNA and RNA
download here: qa7_nucleic_acids_questions.pdf qa7_nucleic_acids_answers.pdf
QA8 - Enzyme Inhibitors Tests understanding of enzyme inhibitors and conditions
download here: qa8_enzyme_inhibitors_questions.pdf qa8_enzyme_inhibitors_answers.pdf
QA9 - Metalloproteins Tests understanding of the use of metalloproteins in enzymes
download here: qa9_metalloproteins.pdf
QB1 - Quaternary Structure and Functional Proteins Explores quaternary structures and different categories of proteins
download here: qb1_quaternary_structure_and_functional_proteins_questions.pdf qb1_quaternary_structure_and_functional_proteins_answers.pdf
QB2 - Enzymes as Biological Catalysts Explores the use of enzymes as commercial and industrial catalysts
download here: qb2_enzymes_as_biological_catalysts_questions.pdf qb2_enzymes_as_biological_catalysts_answers.pdf
QB3- Enzyme Conditions, Active Sites, and Inhibitors Tests understanding of the effect of changing reaction conditions on enzymes, as well as inhibitors. Tests the lock and key, and the induced fit models
download here: qb3_enzyme_conditions_active_sites_and_inhibitors_questions.pdf qb3_enzyme_conditions_active_sites_and_inhibitors_answers.pdf
QB4 - ATP Tests understanding the structure, role, and function of ATP
download here: qb4_atp_questions.pdf qb4_atp_answers.pdf
QB5 - hCG Tests understanding the human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone and its relation to pregnancy
download here: qb5_hcg.pdf
QB6 - Reverse Transcriptase Tests understanding of the reverse transcriptase enzyme and its use by retroviruses
download here: qb6_reverse_transcriptase.pdf
Revision maps - A3 size |
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RB1 - Amino Acids and Proteins Biology Consolidates understanding of the structure of amino acids and proteins
download here: rb1_amino_acids_and_proteins_biology_questions.pdf rb1_amino_acids_and_proteins_biology_answers.pdf
RB2 - Enzymes and ATP Consolidates understanding of enzymes, inhibitors, and substrates. As well as enzyme conditions, and the structure and function of ATP
download here: rb2_enzymes_and_atp_biology_questions.pdf rb2_enzymes_and_atp_biology_answers.pdf
RB3 - Nucleic Acids Consolidates understanding of the structure and function of both DNA and RNA
download here: rb3_nucleic_acids_biology_questions.pdf rb3_nucleic_acids_biology_answers.pdf
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