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Description
This programme examines the use of x-ray analysis in the determination of the unique structure of alginate and discusses how knowledge of structural differences can lead to a greater understanding ...of functional roles.
This programme examines the use of x-ray analysis in the determination of the unique structure of alginate and discusses how knowledge of structural differences can lead to a greater understanding ...of functional roles.
| Module code and title: | S322, Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S322; 02 |
| Recording date: | 20-07-1976 |
| First transmission date: | 17-03-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:25:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producers: | Andrew Crilly; Denis Gartside |
| Contributors: | Anna Furth; Ian Niedusznski; Charles Phelps; John Sheehan |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 3-D structure; Polymannuronate; X-ray diffractogramme |
| Footage description: | Film, under optical magnification, of red blood cells of Group A and then with cells of Group B added. Massive agglutination is seen. Commentary by Anna Furth. Charles Phelps, holding and manipulating an atomic model of a simple sugar monomer, demonstrates the various conformations the molecule can take on. He then joins to this model another monomer and points out the additional conformations which may be possible for a polymer. More shots of the agglutination experiment Phelps performs another experiment to demonstrate agglutination of blood. He then uses an atomic model to point out the differences between bloods of Group A and Group B. Charles Phelps, at the seaside, picks up some seaweed containing alginate and poses the question, 'What is the difference between polyrannuronic and polyguluronic components of the alginate which cause different parts of the seaweed to have such different physical properties? John Sheehan prepares a sample of purified extra of polymanmironate for X-ray diffraction. Shots of Sheehan placing the specimen into the X-ray apparatus and then removing it together with the exposed plate. Sheehan examines a positive blow-up of the diffraction pattern obtained and takes measurements from it. He tries to obtain unique values for the conformation of polymannuronate but ends up with four possibilities. Ian Nieduszynski, in the computer laboratory, uses an atomic model and computer animations to explain how the computer is used to calculate a unique conformation for polymannuronate. Nieduszynski programs the computer to calculate a unique conformation for the molecule and examines the result. Charles Phelps compares the structure of polymannuronate with that of polyguluronate. He manipulates atomic models of each molecule while he talks and then goes on to conduct a small experiment with test tubes to demonstrate the different physical properties of the two molecules. Phelps goes on to try to explain this difference with the aid of an egg box analogy. Phelps, at the sea shore, sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72210 |
| Production number: | 00525_1259 |
| Videofinder number: | 1008 |
| Available to public: | no |
