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Dna Paper Models Procedure

The document provides instructions for building a model of DNA using paper cutouts. Students cut out templates representing the DNA components - deoxyribose sugars, phosphate groups, and the four nitrogen bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine). They arrange the cutouts to form individual nucleotides, which are then attached to form a single strand of DNA. The single strands from each student are then attached to form a double helix DNA model representing the class.

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Shantal Ortiz
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277 views

Dna Paper Models Procedure

The document provides instructions for building a model of DNA using paper cutouts. Students cut out templates representing the DNA components - deoxyribose sugars, phosphate groups, and the four nitrogen bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine). They arrange the cutouts to form individual nucleotides, which are then attached to form a single strand of DNA. The single strands from each student are then attached to form a double helix DNA model representing the class.

Uploaded by

Shantal Ortiz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: _______________________

DNA PAPER MODELS PROCEDURE

Introduction:

Imagine DNA as a twisted ladder. The outside of the ladder is made up of alternating sugar and
phosphate molecules. The sugar is called deoxyribose. The rungs of the ladder are made of a pair of
molecules called bases. There are four bases in DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Because
of the chemical structures of the bases, adenine only pairs with thymine and cytosine only pairs with
guanine to form a rung.

Materials:

Templates – you will need 10 Deoxyribose molecules, 10 phosphate molecules, 3 each of cytosine and
guanine, and 2 each of adenine and thymine.

Scissors

Tape

Procedure:

1. From the templates provided by your teacher, cut out the pattern for the chemical bases sugars, and
phosphates listed above (note – there are more than these on the templates, only cut out the amount
listed in the materials section).

2. Arrange half of the cut outs on your table to form 5 nucleotides, then attach those to each other to
form a SINGLE STRAND. BE SURE YOU LAY ALL PIECES OUT BEFORE GLUING THEM TOGETHER! As a
guide, you can attach the chemical base to the sugar molecule by matching up the dots (stars with stars,
squares with squares, circles with circles). You can attach the phosphate group onto your model by
matching up the stars, and you can attach the top of the phosphates to the sugars by matching up the
squares.

3. Once your molecule is set up correctly, paste or tape the model together.

4. Now put your lab group initials on your model. With the instructor’s help, paste your model to
another lab group model.

5. When finished, your class should have constructed a long DNA molecule. We will combine it with
other table groups’ DNA to form one long strand!
Name:______________________ Date:__________________________

DNA PAPER MODEL: HOMEWORK QUESTIONS

Analysis Questions:

1. What base does adenine pair with?

2. What base does guanine pair with?

3. Describe the shape of the DNA molecule. Draw a picture if it helps!

Connections:

1. What are the three components of a nucleotide? (HINT: What were the three components used in
putting the model together? Remember that Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine are all Nitrogen
Bases!) Refer to your DNA article if you are still unsure.

2. What is the name of the sugar molecule in the DNA helix?

3. Suppose you know that the sequence of bases on one DNA strand (one side of the DNA ladder) is
AGCTCAG. What is the sequence of the bases on the opposite strand?

4. Assume that a 100-bair pair DNA double helix contains 45 cytosines. How many adenines are there?

Conclusion: Write a summary of the structure of DNA that (at least) includes the terms: base, sugar,
phosphate, nucleotide, (base) pair, and helix.

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