Animation of Protein Folding

Animation of protein folding (simulated)

This animation illustrates (approximately; see below for details) how a protein folds from a straight chain of amino acids into a 3-dmiensional object.
Features

The spheres represent amino acids in a protein chain

Red spheres represent amino acids with hydrophobic side chains
Purple and blue spheres represent amino acids that can form hydrogen bonds with each other's side chains
Yellow and green speheres represent amino acids that can form ionic bonds with each other's side chains

Notice how the hydrophobic side chains start at different points along the chain but fold towards the center of the protein to avoid water

Similarly, the ionic and hydrogen bonds form between side chains to pull the protein into it's final shape.

Parts of the animation that are not exactly realistic.
(We included these so that the animation was easier to see)

Proteins most-likely fold by a process of 'trial and error"; they try various conformations until they find the most stable one.
Amino acid side chains can't move through each other.

Thanks to Evelyne Tschibelu for making this animation!