How to Build Your DNA Structure
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is genetic material found in all living organisms, including some viruses. The information contained in the DNA is a pseudo-instruction manual for that particular organism; it sets forth all of that organism's traits and genes. What this also means, therefore, is that each organism's DNA code is different. The interesting thing is that DNA is made up of only four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. You can build your own model using candy.
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Things You'll Need
- Red and black hollow licorice sticks
- Colored candies (gummy bears or gum drops)
- Toothpicks
- String
Instructions
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1
Form the rails of the DNA molecule using the licorice. DNA is structured like a twisting ladder, called a double helix. The rails of this ladder are made up of deoxyribose and phosphate. Use red licorice for the deoxyribose section and black licorice for the phosphate section. The rails of the DNA molecule alternate between deoxyribose and phosphate. Therefore, cut the licorice into equal lengths. Then string together two rails by adding one red section and then one black section until you reach a desired length.
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2
Choose colors for the bases. In between the deoxyribose/phosphate rails of the DNA molecule are rungs composed of two of the bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine). Adenine connects to thymine and guanine connects to cytosine; these are the only pairs possible (adenine does not connect to guanine nor does cytosine connect to thymine). Use colored candy to represent each base. Gummy bears or gum drops work well.
For example, you could use red gummy bears for adenine, green gummy bears for thymine, orange gummy bears for cytosine and white gummy bears for guanine. Whatever you choose, choose a different color for each base. -
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3
Form the rungs of the ladder. As mentioned above, Adenine connects to thymine and guanine connects to cytosine. Form a rung by taking a toothpick and choosing two candies, one for each base in the pair. Spear the candy so that they meet in the middle of the toothpick. For instance, if you used the example in Step 2, one rung could be made of one red candy as adenine meeting with one green candy for thymine. Make as many rungs as you desire.
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4
Connect the rungs to the rails. The ends of the toothpick should stick out enough for you to attach the rungs made in Step 3 with the rails made in Step 1. Connect each rung to the rails. The end result will be a ladder.
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5
Twist the ladder to create the double helix.
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