Hatrack River Forum: The Inner Life of Cells

This is topic The Inner Life of Cells in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

http://tinyurl.com/qjjrx

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

It's beautiful. I wish I had a libretto so I could understand what's going on, though.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Agreed, Scott. I knew what some of the things they were representing were, but all too many made me go "Wha?" And I used to teach this stuff!

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Same here. I can't remember the names of things, but after one course in microbiology, I can kind of appreciate what's happening, though I can't put names to things.

It's just so amazing to see it in three dimensions.

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

That is wonderful...

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

I can't help anthropomorphizing everything-- like the worm-thing with two cute little feet, carrying that huge egg. He's saying, "Sisyphus! Dangit! Why didn't Mom name me Jake, or Al, or Tom! Noooo...I had to get Sisyphus!"

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Maybe Maui Babe will stop by and enlighten us all. [Smile]

Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :

<--- Cell biology soon-to-be graduate student

Much <3 for the microtubule and actin filament polymerization, endocytosis, and protein translation- they even showed how some proteins are translated straight into the ER lumen, folding as they go. As far as I could tell, they used the actual 3D structures of all the proteins involved, as well. I'm not sure if the animation is based on data as the models are, but it wouldn't surprise me. Great stuff. [Big Grin]

Scott- the worm-thing is a motor protein directing a vesicle along a microtubule.

I gotta admit, though, my inner nitpicker kept exclaiming, "there ain't no way there's that much free space in a cell!" The cell interior is compact. [Wink]

And I would've loved to see an ATP synthase at work!

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Cool. Thanks, Tarrsk. [Smile]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

There are some great ATP synthase animations online, Tarrsk. Want me to see if I still have the list of links?

Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :

Sure, although I've seen plenty in various biology classes in college. I was just hoping the Harvard short film would have one, complete with dramatic camera pans and soundtrack. [Wink]

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

quote:
the worm-thing is a motor protein directing a vesicle along a microtubule.

You say motor protein, I say Sisyphus. In the end, I think we can still get along.

[Smile]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

No dramatic pans or music (I really think it should have some!), but I really like this ATP synthase animation.