Genetics, Evolution, Biology, and Chemistry: These animations are aligned with NGSS standards for use in U.S. classrooms. This channel is a project by Jon Perry. If you find the work useful, please consider supporting Jon on Patreon (link below).
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19:26109K views · 3mo ago · 19:26
In this video we explore the physics of protein evolution and the bacterial flagella using... Play-Doh? Yep. It sounds childish but it is surprisingly enlightening! After watching this video you'll understand why evolution keeps generating protein complexes that are perfect, rods, rings, and tubes. These are among the easiest structure for evolution to generate at the level of protein complexes.
24:1330K views · 4mo ago · 24:13
How do bacterial flagella actually work? Well, new discoveries just changed what we thought we knew. Check it out! Ariel''s bacteria footage Clockwork YouTube channel David Goodsell's Art 2020 paper on MotAB complex
▶️ Mentioned videos: Ariel''s bacteria footage
📄 Mentioned papers: 2020 paper on MotAB complex
26:0969K views · 5mo ago · 26:09
Skeptics were not satisfied with my demonstration on protein self-assembly, so I decided to make the experiment harder. Last time, the magnetic “protein” parts were allowed to self-assemble mostly on their own. Critics argued that real proteins exist in a chaotic cellular environment crowded with countless other molecules that could interfere with assembly.
31:3426K views · 6mo ago · 31:34
How do proteins really work and evolve? This video is where you'll find out! LEARN MORE To see David Goodsell's interactive protein tour, go here To see David's amazing biochemistry art, go here FURTHER READING Brownian Motion at the level of proteins
📄 Mentioned papers: Brownian Motion the level of proteins · Brownian motors · How Lac Repressor works
30:1921K views · 7mo ago · 30:19
Learn More Paper on flagella evolution Paper on diffusion inside a cell (see Video S2 in the supporting information) Viewer Question What is the difference between co-option and recruitment? Where is the line and what is the purpose of having two specific categories for something that seems similar.
📄 Mentioned papers: Paper on flagella evolution · Paper on diffusion inside a cell (see Video S2 in the supporting information)
37:4937K views · 7mo ago · 37:49
Is the bacterial flagellum impossible to evolve? Michael Behe thought so, using it as a flagship challenge to evolution under the concept of "irreducible complexity".
27:0533K views · 8mo ago · 27:05
If 1 is good, 4 might be better! Here we explore evolution by duplication and take a special look at flagella protein structure. You'll learn about serial homology, gene duplication, gene amplification, paralogs, homologs, convergent evolution and more. You'll even hear a bit about "irreducible complexity".
17:5324K views · 8mo ago · 17:53
Guest: Flagellum Evolution
Today's video (the halftime special) is a Q and A where I, Jon Perry, answer the questions you have been sending me throughout this series. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show! Flagella Evolution Playlist Origin of Life Playlist Destin's Original video that inspired the series
▶️ Mentioned videos: Flagella Evolution Playlist · Origin of Life Playlist · Destin's Original video that inspired the series
27:5047K views · 8mo ago · 27:50
What good is half a flagellum? It’s the kind of question that sounds like a knockout punch until you learn one overlooked rule about how evolution builds complex things. In this episode, we follow the clues and watch that question unravel.
📄 Mentioned papers: Flagella evolution · Draco flight · Cloacal Gills · Experimental Evolution
34:5156K views · 8mo ago · 34:51
Guest: Competence Without Comprehension
In today's episode we cover the fundamentals of evolution and address common concerns such as 1. How can a blind, mindless process build something that looks engineered? 2. How does evolution solve the waiting problem? 3. Can evolution actually be seen with our eyes, or is it all just speculation?
▶️ Mentioned videos: Video on youtube.com
📄 Mentioned papers: Bacteria Evolution Papers · Paper on nature.com
23:13160K views · 9mo ago · 23:13
Destin has questions about the bacterial flagellum. Can they be answered? Here we dive head first into the classic “irreducible complexity” challenge and examine what science actually knows about the evolution of molecular machines. How do evolutionary biologists study complex systems like the flagellum? What evidence do we have? What is firmly established — and what remains hypothesis?
▶️ Mentioned videos: See the video by smartereveryday on flagella · Video on youtube.com
📄 Mentioned papers: Paper on academic.oup.com
1:1413K views · 1y ago · 1:14
There are many similarities to the genetic found in DNA and simple forms of machine code found in computers. This is especially true to old punched tape computer systems such as the ones Bell Labs used to use, and similar systems from the old Soviet Union. I'm told punched tape systems are still used at several power plants in the Ukraine. If it ain't broke, don't upgrade it!
1:40
2:1810K views · 1y ago · 2:18
Some anti-evolution creationists claim that mutations can't generate new genetic information, but that idea falls apart fast. Mutations routinely add, delete, duplicate, and rearrange DNA. Entire genes can be duplicated and then tweaked into brand-new functions — it’s how snakes got venom, how humans got trichromatic vision, and how bacteria evolve resistance. Evolution doesn’t need magic; it just needs variation, selection, and time.
2:327K views · 1y ago · 2:32
As we learned in the animation "Darwin's Monster", in reptiles on land, live birth often evolves to protect embryos from cold or sometimes dry conditions, since internal development allows the mother to control temperature and moisture. In water, a key pressure for the evolution of live birth in some sharks and other fish species is in overcoming the difficulty of hiding eggs from predators.
2:278K views · 1y ago · 2:27
Is evolution a one-way street? In the late 1800s, paleontologist Louis Dollo proposed what became known as Dollo’s Law: the idea that once a complex trait is lost in evolution, it can never be regained in exactly the same form. According to Dollo, evolution can’t rewind.
1:4913K views · 1y ago · 1:49
Are birds reptiles? The answer depends on what taxonomy system you’re using. Taxonomy is how scientists classify and organize living things. In older systems, reptiles were grouped by physical traits: cold-blooded, scaly, egg-laying animals. Birds didn’t fit, so they were placed in their own category.
1:4425K views · 1y ago · 1:44
Fossil studies show T. rex arms were about 1 meter long, with strong muscle attachments, capable of lifting significant weight (relative to their size). Comparisons with earlier tyrannosaurids, like Gorgosaurus, show a trend of arm reduction over millions of years. No definitive consensus exists, as the fossil record doesn't preserve behavior, but these theories are grounded in biomechanics and evolutionary patterns.
1:449K views · 1y ago · 1:44
In U.S. public schools, there's a legal separation of "Church and State" which means public schools are not supposed to preach religion to students. This has caused problems for anti-evolution creationists wanting to preach creationism in schools (a religious doctrine). In an attempt to get around the law, a group of Christians invented a new supposed scientific theory called "Intelligent Design" and started having it taught in schools.
1:2012K views · 1y ago · 1:20
A common interpretation of the Bible says snakes lost their legs as a curse for tempting Eve. But what do careful observations in biology tell us?
10:05295K views · 1y ago · 10:05
Guest: Darwin's Monster
This bizarre little creature might look like nature couldn’t make up its mind—but hidden in its odd features are powerful clues about how evolution works. In this episode of Stated Clearly, science communicator Jon Perry examines a living species that provides compelling evidence for evolution. Through close observation of this one animal, we explore how traits can be lost, how new ones emerge, and how environmental pressures drive change over generations.
📄 Mentioned papers: Paper on onlinelibrary.wiley.com · Paper on link.springer.com
9:487K views · 1y ago · 9:48
Want a pre-made version? Sign the petition! Full materials list & instructions Jump to the tutorial This simple yet powerful DNA model uses magnets to show base pairing in action! In this video, I’ll show you what this model can do, what it can’t do, and how to build your own step by step.
▶️ Mentioned videos: Jump to the tutorial
1:137K views · 1y ago · 1:13
Punched tape has some interesting parallels to DNA. It would have been fun to work with this stuff. Check it out!
2:0022K views · 1y ago · 2:00
In a recent interview, Mel Gibson made headlines by sharing his discomfort with the concept of evolution, stating that he was "created" rather than evolved from a thing in the ocean. In this video, we take a closer look at the science he rejects.
2:4411K views · 1y ago · 2:44
Anabaena is a genus of cyanobacteria that showcases one of nature's most remarkable feats—true multicellularity in bacteria. Unlike single-celled bacteria that operate as independent units, Anabaena forms filamentous chains of cells, working together to survive and thrive in diverse environments.
1:566K views · 1y ago · 1:56
I made this DNA model out of wood and magnets. It only has 2 types of nucleotides but that's enough to show you my favorite type sequence-dependent mutational hotspot! An inverted repeat (or a DNA palindrome) will cause DNA to form a secondary structure prone to hypermutation.
2:114K views · 1y ago · 2:11
punched tape computers used a coding system that shares a lot with the genetic code. Here we see how, when evolution changes or adds genetic information, this can have a side effect on the structure of the DNA itself, causing mutational hotspots.
1:226K views · 1y ago · 1:22
Piranha teeth are small, triangular blades arranged in a single, interlocking row that creates a continuous cutting surface—ideal for shearing through tough flesh. Unlike sharks, which have multiple rows that roll forward, piranhas replace their teeth in discrete, synchronized batches. This ensures that while an old set is being shed and new teeth are coming in, they never completely lose their ability to bite.
1:121K views · 1y ago · 1:12
To change language tracks in YouTube's new multi-language feature, click the Settings gear icon on the video player. Go to Audio Track and select your preferred language from the list. Enjoy the video in the language of your choice!
11:4246K views · 1y ago · 11:42
Guest: Mutation Bias
Are mutations truly random? Yes—but not in the way you might think. In this video, we break down what scientists mean by "random" when talking about mutations and why it’s a bit more nuanced than you might expect. While cells don’t decide which mutations they want next and then actively cause them, mutations don’t occur with equal probability across the genome.
▶️ Mentioned videos: Essential genes (and random mutations) · Are Mutations Random? · What to make of non-random mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana?
📄 Mentioned papers: Paper on a mutational hotspot in Bacteria
2:125K views · 1y ago · 2:12
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