Protein Aggregation Comparison¶
Learning Objective¶
Analyze the similarities and differences between beta-amyloid, tau, and alpha-synuclein aggregation (Bloom Level 4 - Analyze).
- Bloom Level: Analyze (L4)
- Bloom Verb: Compare, contrast, distinguish, differentiate
- Library: Custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript with SVG
Preview¶
Overview¶
This three-column interactive infographic compares the three major pathological proteins in dementia: beta-amyloid, tau, and alpha-synuclein. Each column uses an abstract SVG icon and color-coded card (orange/red for beta-amyloid, purple/violet for tau, and green/teal for alpha-synuclein) so learners can tell the proteins apart at a glance.
What Each Column Shows¶
| Row | Beta-Amyloid | Tau | Alpha-Synuclein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal function | Possible role in synaptic plasticity | Stabilizes microtubules, axonal transport | Regulates synaptic vesicle release |
| Misfolded form | Oligomers and fibrils | Hyperphosphorylated paired helical filaments | Fibrils aggregating into Lewy bodies |
| Location | Extracellular plaques | Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles | Intracellular Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites |
| Diseases | Alzheimer's, Down syndrome dementia | Alzheimer's, Pick's, PSP, CBD | Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's |
| Spread pattern | Does not spread neuron-to-neuron | Spreads along neural networks | Spreads through connected regions |
How to Use¶
- Toggle view: Click "Normal Function" or "Pathological Aggregation" to highlight the relevant rows across all three protein columns.
- Show Commonalities: Expand the panel to see the six features all three proteins share, from misfolding to resistance against cellular clearance.
- Check Your Understanding: Answer five multiple-choice questions and submit to see immediate feedback. Getting all five correct triggers a celebration animation.