How to Make a DNA Structure Model With Beads
Almost all living organisms have a unique pattern of chemical bases in the double helix structure of their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). These chemical bases pair in the same way for every individual. Adenine only pairs with thymine, for example. It is the order of these pairs within the structure that determines physical appearance as well as other hereditary traits. A double helix model can be made from thick, bendable wire and six different colors of pony beads for a simple visual representation of the structure of DNA.
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Things You'll Need
- Craft wire
- White pony beads
- Black pony beads
- Red pony beads
- Blue pony beads
- Green pony beads
- Orange pony beads
Instructions
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1
Cut two identical segments of craft wire. Each segment should be at least six inches long.
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2
Alternate black and white pony beads on the segments of craft wire. Be sure to start and finish with the same color on each strand. These colors represent the sugar and phosphate molecules that create the basic structure of the DNA model. Lay the finished strands parallel to each other.
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3
Count the number of colored pairs on one of the strands. This number determines how many chemical base pairs you will need to create.
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4
Cut the craft wire for the chemical base pairs into two inch segments. Each segment will create one pair. Wrap the end of each segment of craft wire above the white beads in the strand. Each segment should attach above a white bead and below a black bead.
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5
Add beads to each segment. Red and blue beads should be paired. Green and orange beads should be paired.
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6
Wrap the other end of the completely beaded segments to the other strand. The DNA model will resemble a ladder.
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7
Continue adding chemical base pair segments until the ladder is complete. There should be a chemical base pair segment above every white bead on the strands.
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Create a base for the project by gluing the different colored beads to a block of wood and labeling each bead. Glue the bottom of each strand to the center of the block and label the structure. Gently twist the strands to form a curved double helix shape.
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Tips & Warnings
Any color of beads can be used, as long as there are six distinctly different colors. The colors used here were suggestions only.
In DNA, the chemical bases only pair in certain ways. Adenine only pairs with thymine, and guanine only pairs with cytosine. Do not mix the colors in the pairs, such as pairing thymine with cytosine. This will create a scientifically incorrect model.
