Creating a DNA Model
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Although DNA molecules can be enormous in terms of their cause the nucleotides to join together in a predictable way.
molecular size, they are made up of simple repeating units called This is referred to as the base pairing rule and can be used to
nucleotides. A number of factors control the way in which these construct a complementary DNA strand from a template strand,
nucleotide building blocks are linked together. These factors as illustrated in the exercise below:
DNA Base Pairing Rule
Adenine is always attracted to Thymine A T
Thymine is always attracted to Adenine T A
Cytosine is always attracted to Guanine C G
Guanine is always attracted to Cytosine G C
1. Cut out around the nucleotides on page 149 and separate each of the 24 nucleotides by cutting along the columns and
rows (see arrows indicating these cutting points). Although drawn as geometric shapes, these symbols represent chemical
structures.
2. Place one of each of the four kinds of nucleotide on their correct spaces below:
Place a cut-out symbol Place a cut-out symbol
for thymine here for cytosine here
Thymine Cytosine
Place a cut-out symbol Place a cut-out symbol
Molecular Genetics
for adenine here for guanine here
Adenine Guanine
3. Identify and label each of the following features on the adenine nucleotide immediately above:
phosphate, sugar, base, hydrogen bonds
4. Create one strand of the DNA molecule by placing the 9 correct 'cut out' nucleotides in the labeled spaces on the following
page (DNA Molecule). Make sure these are the right way up (with the P on the left) and are aligned with the left hand edge
of each box. Begin with thymine and end with guanine.
5. Create the complementary strand of DNA by using the base pairing rule above. Note that the nucleotides have to be
arranged upside down.
6. Under normal circumstances, it is not possible for adenine to pair up with guanine or cytosine, nor for any other mismatches
to occur. Describe the two factors that prevent a mismatch from occurring:
(a) Factor 1:
(b) Factor 2:
7. Once you have checked that the arrangement is correct, you may glue, paste or tape these nucleotides in place.
NOTE: There may be some value in keeping these pieces loose in order to practise the base pairing rule.
For this purpose, removable tape would be best.
Related activities: Nucleic Acids PA 2
:
152
DNA Molecule
Put the named P Adenine Put the matching
nucleotides on the left S complementary
hand side to create Thymine
S nucleotides opposite
the template strand Thymine P the template strand
Cytosine
Adenine
Adenine
Guanine
Thymine
Thymine
Cytosine
Guanine
:
Cut
Cut
Cut
P P P P
S S S S
Guanine Cytosine Guanine Cytosine
Cut
P P P P
S S S S
Adenine Thymine Adenine Thymine
Cut
P P P P
S S S S
:
Guanine Cytosine Guanine Cytosine
Cut
P P P P
S S S S
Adenine Thymine Adenine Thymine
Nucleotides
Cut
P P P P
S S S S
Guanine Cytosine Guanine Cytosine
Cut
Tear out this page along the perforation and separate each of the 24 nucleotides
by cutting along the columns and rows (see arrows indicating the cutting points).
P P P P
S S S S
Adenine Thymine Adenine Thymine
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Molecular Genetics
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