Engaging with Molecular Form to Understand Function

Cells are bustling factories with diverse and prolific arrays of molecular machinery. Remarkably, this machinery self-organizes to carry out the complex biochemical activities characteristic of life. When Watson and Crick published the structure of DNA, they noted that DNA base pairing creates a double-stranded form that provides a means of accurately copying the genetic information. Understanding this link between form and function is important for understanding the basis of any biological activity. At the most basic level, a biomolecule's function is dictated by its structure. The molecule's shape and chemical properties facilitate interactions with other molecules and determine its role in the cell. Protein function depends on the precise folding of encoded linear stretches of amino acids into three-dimensional shapes. Protein misfolding can lead to various disease states. In this review, we explore engaging online resources that highlight the connection between structure and function in biomolecules. These resources are particularly relevant for instruction at the advanced high school and undergraduate biology levels.