C L A S S ROO M
T EC HNOLO G Y
R E V I E WS
K E R R Y H E N R I C K S O N , D E PA RT M E N T E D I TO R
ANIMATED CELLULAR BIOLOGY
Cell Biology Animation. 2008. Created by
John Kirk. http://www.johnkyrk.com.
What do you get when you cross a
biologist with an artist? John Kyrk!! Kyrk
has a Master of Arts Degree in biology from
Harvard University and is a gifted artist. His
site, www.johnkyrk.com, is based primarily
on Bruce Albert’s book, Molecular Biology
of the Cell. Kyrk takes students through a
visual journey of the cell and cell processes
and he does it in six languages. Be ready to
be amazed.
Each of his links is fully animated
and interactive. Topics include protein
structure, cell function, cell membranes,
chromosomes, diffusion, DNA, evolution,
glycolysis, Kreb cycle, meiosis, mitosis, photosynthesis, water, viruses, and more. If you
would like your students to learn about
the cell, you have two choices of links: cell
function or cell anatomy. Students can test
themselves by running the curser over an
object and having an explanation of the
item appear. Within this explanation are
links to other animations on the Web site
that students may follow to further their
knowledge.
If it’s cell processes students are interested in, they can complete the tutorial
step-by-step or choose to have the animation play without interruption. I find this
very useful for beginning learners as well as
for the more advanced.
Animations at Kyrk’s Web site cover not
only cell processes but also the behaviors of
molecules and molecular bonds. Molecules
are color coded for easy recognition and the
bonds between them are effectively demonstrated. Students may choose to move, turn
and rollover atoms and bonds, or they can
watch an animated explanation. I especially
like the glycolysis animation that discusses
high-energy bonds because students not
only learn about the process of glycolysis
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THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER
but also about the chemical make-up of the
molecules involved.
Among my favorite animations are the
DNA and protein synthesis tutorials. Kyrk’s
illustration of a rotating DNA molecule
is worth a trip to the site in itself. He
does a terrific job of breaking down DNA
replication, DNA transcription, and RNA
translation. I believe it is one of the finest
examples of biology animations available
on the Web and my students say visiting
Kyrk’s site is one of their favorite ways to
learn these cell processes.
Another favorite of mine is the mitochondria and electron transport tutorial.
This animation shows the electron transport process in greater detail than any
other animation I have seen. All in all, I
find this site to be one of the most interactive, entertaining, and educational for my
students—and for myself.
Debby Machuca
Adjunct Biology Instructor
Portland Community College
debra.galbamachuca@pcc.edu
KERRY HENRICKSON, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor
of Physiology, and Physiology Education
Specialist at Northern Arizona University in
Flagstaff. She holds advanced degrees in biology, education, and journalism and is interested
in how technology use and active learning in
the classroom can help students succeed. Her
address is: Department of Biological Sciences, PO
Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5640; e-mail: kerry.
henrickson@nau.edu.
VOLUME 71, NO. 2, FEBRUARY 2009