Description
This is a perfect activity to do after teaching your students the structure of DNA! It allows students to manipulate the three different parts of a nucleotide (phosphate, sugar, base), and build their own.
Once each student has their own small chunk of four nucleotides, they can pair it with other groups, forming a long class chain that can be hung up in the classroom all unit long! Meant to take about one class period, this lesson includes detailed instructions for students and the teacher, with two different versions of the worksheet- one with instructions and example pictures, and one with just the instructions so students will need to figure out how to put the puzzle together.
Specifically, this lesson will allow students to practice:
- Building a nucleotide and identifying the three parts.
- Correctly pairing complementary nucleotides (A-T, C-G)
- Assembling 4 nucleotides in a small strand of DNA
- Connecting DNA to other students’ strands, building a big DNA strand!
- Recognizing that DNA runs antiparallel (one side will be upside down)
Students will need colored pencils or crayons or markers for this activity- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue, as well as glue sticks or tape.
The instructions have pictures for every step, so this activity could be completed remotely or for homework, though it is generally more fun as a whole class because you can build a long strand together!
Highlights
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Description
This is a perfect activity to do after teaching your students the structure of DNA! It allows students to manipulate the three different parts of a nucleotide (phosphate, sugar, base), and build their own.
Once each student has their own small chunk of four nucleotides, they can pair it with other groups, forming a long class chain that can be hung up in the classroom all unit long! Meant to take about one class period, this lesson includes detailed instructions for students and the teacher, with two different versions of the worksheet- one with instructions and example pictures, and one with just the instructions so students will need to figure out how to put the puzzle together.
Specifically, this lesson will allow students to practice:
- Building a nucleotide and identifying the three parts.
- Correctly pairing complementary nucleotides (A-T, C-G)
- Assembling 4 nucleotides in a small strand of DNA
- Connecting DNA to other students’ strands, building a big DNA strand!
- Recognizing that DNA runs antiparallel (one side will be upside down)
Students will need colored pencils or crayons or markers for this activity- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue, as well as glue sticks or tape.
The instructions have pictures for every step, so this activity could be completed remotely or for homework, though it is generally more fun as a whole class because you can build a long strand together!
