DNA Model Project

Instructions for Creating the Molecules in the DNA Model

1. Using one color of paper make 24 circles (phosphate) about 15 mm across.
2. Using a second color of paper make 24 squares (ribose) about 15 mm across.
3. Using four other colors make 6 of each of the designs above to represent bases found in a DNA molecule.

Instructions for Assembling a DNA Molecule Fragment Model.

1. On a blank sheet of paper make a key to your paper pieces.
2. Using the blank sheet of paper, alternately place 12 circles and 12 squares to form the backbone of one DNA strand.
3. Draw lines between the circles (phosphates) and squares (riboses) to represent the bonds between the molecules.
4. From each of the squares draw a line at a 90° right angle to the chain. One line for each square.
5. Place bases at this line (bond) in the following order from top to bottom.
   A     T     C     G     C     C     A     A     T     T     G     G
6. On the opposite side of the base, place its complimentary base paper piece.
7. Draw a light line between the bases to represent their hydrogen bond.
8. Create another phosphate and ribose backbone to form the second DNA strand and attach them with bond lines to the second complimentary base.
9. Cut-off the scoring table below and glue or staple to your DNA model.

Questions

1. How many different type of molecules did you use to make a DNA?
2. What would you do to make a complementary RNA strand?
3. If a sample of DNA was found to have 20% of the bases were adenine, what would be the percentages of the other bases?

Model Scoring

Key (5 pts)	Bonding (5 pts)	Sequencing (5 pts)	Workmanship (5 pts)	Questions (6 pts)	Total (26 pts)