Biology · Cells
Cell Lab
Open up an animal and a plant cell in 3D, knock out organelles to see what fails, plasmolyse a plant cell, send a protein out of the cell, drive the ATP synthase motor with a proton gradient, and push an enzyme to saturation, heat it until it denatures and block it with inhibitors.
The course
3 worlds · 12 lessons
World 1 · Inside a cell
FREEAnimal and plant cells, knock-outs, osmosis and the protein export route- 01Animal and plant cells: spot the differenceOrganelles, their jobs and their real sizes · 9 min
- 02Knock out the power supplyA knock-out test with a control · 9 min
- 03Osmosis: plasmolyse a plant cell, then rescue itWater potential, turgor and plasmolysis · 9 min
- 04Send a protein out of the cellRibosome → rough ER → Golgi → vesicle → membrane · 9 min
World 2 · Membranes and ATP synthase
PROChannels, pumps and the rotary motor that makes ATP- 01Find the Nernst potential of K⁺Bilayers, ion channels and the balance between concentration and voltage · 10 minPRO
- 02The Na⁺/K⁺ pump: how many ions per ATP?Active transport against a gradient · 10 minPRO
- 03Spin the rotor, then spring a leakThe proton-motive force drives ATP synthase · 10 minPRO
- 04Why ATP synthase can run backwardsEnergy accounting at the stall point · 10 minPRO
World 3 · Enzymes
PROActive sites, saturation, temperature, pH and inhibitors- 01Lock and key, or induced fit?How an active site recognises its substrate · 10 minPRO
- 02Saturate the enzymeMichaelis–Menten kinetics: Vmax and Km · 10 minPRO
- 03Temperature, pH and denaturationWhy every enzyme has a best temperature and a best pH · 10 minPRO
- 04Competitive and non-competitive inhibitorsTwo ways to slow an enzyme down · 10 minPRO
Read first
All guides →Guides for Cell Lab
Exam prepGeneticsAP and IB Biology: Cells and Genetics Study GuidePlan your revision of cell structure and Mendelian genetics for AP and IB Biology, with free interactive lessons, common pitfalls and a simple weekly study plan.
ExplainerHuman BodyHow the Human Body Is Organized: Cells, Tissues, BonesSee how cells build tissues, tissues build organs, and how the skeleton works as a living frame of bones, joints, cartilage and ligaments. With a live 3D lab.
ExplainerGeneticsPunnett Squares Explained: Mendel’s Rules of InheritanceLearn alleles, dominant and recessive traits, genotype versus phenotype and how to fill a Punnett square, then breed virtual creatures in a live 3D lab.