CHROMOSOME CHALLENGE

Activity Pack

Description: Learn how genetic information is passed to new cells by matching 23

pairs of chromosomes (socks)

Duration of Activity: 10 mins approx.

Age: 5yrs+

Topic: Molecular and Cellular

Key words: Cell, DNA, Chromosome, Double Helix, Socks

Resources: • Instructions and Equipment List

• Activity Worksheet
• Cell-Chromosome-DNA Sheet
• MRC Lab Scale/DNA Poster
• Activity Evaluation Poster - Children

Related Activities: Build a Healthy Cell, DNA Bracelets

With thanks to MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh

Chromosome Challenge
Instructions and Equipment List

Key messages

»» Everyone’s DNA is different - DNA is what makes you unique

»» DNA contains all the instructions your body needs to live
»» DNA is passed on in bundles called chromosomes
»» You inherit half of your chromosomes from your Mum and half from your Dad
»» Human cells have 46 chromosomes
»» The chromosomes are matched up into 23 pairs - like socks
»» Your chromosomes determine whether you are a boy or a girl
»» If people have the wrong number of chromosomes they have health problems

What MRC Scientists do?

»» Study DNA and chromosomes to learn about human health.

»» Compare DNA from a person who has a disease with a person who does not to see if there are any differences linked to
the illness. This is called genetic research.

Activity overview

Learn how genetic information is passed when a cell divides and babies are made by racing (against the clock or other teams) to
match 23 pairs of chromosomes (socks)

Steps

1. Introduce DNA and Chromosomes explaining their function

2. Invite Participant to pretend to be a diving cell

Option - ask if they wish to make a boy or girl and include correct XY or XX marked socks in the pile

3. For younger participants walk through the process (select sock- peg on washing line) - offer each a peg to start

4. Place the basket of socks centrally or tip out on the floor

5. Record time to complete activity and mark on wall chart

Important notes

»» Ensure you have sufficient space for this running activity

»» Hang washing line at correct height for participants

»» A double helix model will help explain the structure of DNA.

Suggested Script and background information

The best way to gauge understanding of participants is to ask them questions like

»» Has anyone here heard of DNA?

»» Can anyone tell me what DNA is?

Every living thing contains DNA. It is the unique set of instructions that tells a seed how to grown into a plant or a baby into adult.
Everyone’s DNA is different. DNA controls the colour of your eyes, skin and hair.

DNA is wrapped tight inside the nucleus of every cell that builds a living thing. DNA is coiled tightly like thread and wrapped and
squished into bundles that scientists called chromosomes.

Today we are going to play a game with the chromosomes.

The DNA is packaged up into chromosomes which are found in pairs. It is these instructions that tell parts of our body what to
do and if something goes wrong in the chromosome structure or pairing and information is missing or scrambled then we get
diseases.

Let’s see if we can match all the chromosomes up into pairs so that they can be passed on healthily to make a new cell.

»» Your job is to pretend to be a dividing cell.

»» Your challenge is to match up the chromosomes as fast as you can so that the DNA can be passed on to a new cell.

»» These socks represent our chromosomes

»» Would you like to pair up the chromosomes to make a boy or a girl?

»» Put in either the XY or XX sock in the pile in response.

»» See how quickly you can find its pair and pin it on the washing line.

»» Ready, steady, go. Start the timer

Further information on DNA and chromosomes

Every cell in our bodies (except red blood cells) carries all this genetic information packaged tightly into chromosomes and every
time we grow our chromosomes are copied and passed onto the new cells.

Cells carry all of the genetic information needed to make an animal, or human, or plant. Women have 22 pairs of chromosomes
and two X chromosomes. Men have 22 pairs of chromosomes and one X and one Y chromosome. Scientists study chromosomes
to learn about human health.

DNA structure

DNA stand for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid and is made of just four chemical bases that you can think of as building blocks. These are
called adenine (A), cytosine (C) and thymine (T) and guanine (G). These bases are arranged in different orders to give each cell in
the body a code that tells it what to do. It’s a bit like using the letters of the alphabet to spell words, DNA uses A, C, T and G to
spell out instructions in groups called genes.

DNA has two strands that wrap around each other in a shape called a double helix. To help DNA stick tightly together the bases
match up in pairs. A always partners with T and C always joins up with G. The spiral shape lets DNA wind itself up tight and small.
There is about 2 metres of DNA inside each cell.

For further information visit MRC Research

Chromosome Challenge
Equipment List

Staging

This activity requires open space for participants to run around.

Required

»» Pairs of different coloured socks - Minimum 25 pairs

»» Marked Socks x 2 pairs - XX and XY

»» Clothes Pegs – Minimum 50

»» Washing Line – hung at the correct height for participants

»» Large Laundry Basket to hold socks

»» Container for clothes pegs

»» Stopwatch

»» Whiteboard / Chart to record times

Optional

»» Double Helix Model

»» Cell-Chromosome-DNA Sheet

»» MRC Lab Scale/DNA Poster

»» Worksheet - one per participant

»» Lab coat - one per participant

»» Activity evaluation poster - children

 CHROMOSOME CHALLENGE
Worksheet

Everyone’s DNA is different. DNA controls the colour of
your eyes, skin and hair. The information in your DNA
also controls the cells in your body. Sometimes there are
bits of information missing, or it is a bit scrambled, and
this can cause illness. The DNA in your cells is squashed
into packages called chromosomes.
Scientists study DNA and chromosomes to learn about
human health. They often compare DNA from a person
who has a disease with a person who doesn’t to see
if there are any differences linked to the illness. This is
called genetic research.
Human cells have 46 chromosomes squashed inside.
have one full size X chromosome and a shorter Y
chromosome.
Your body constantly makes new cells to replace old
ones and to help you grow. Cells split in two to make
new cells. When a cell divides it makes a copy of its DNA
to pass on to the new cell.
What to do
Today your job is to pretend to be a dividing cell.
Your challenge is to match up the chromosomes as fast as
you can so that the DNA can be passed on to a new cell.

You inherit 23 chromosomes from your mum and 23 Each sock in the basket represents one chromosome.
from your dad. The chromosomes match into pairs like
socks. See how quickly you can find its pair and pin it on the
washing line.
Only one pair of chromosomes is different between
girls and boys. Girls have two X chromosomes. Boys

Chromosome
Cell DNA
FACTS
DNA stands for
deoxyribonucleic acid

DNA is in every cell

except red blood cells

There are about

2 metres of DNA
DNA inside each cell

x chromosome
 CELL - CHROMOSOME - DNA

Chromosome
Cell

DNA

DNA FACTS
DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid

DNA is in every cell except red blood cells

x chromosome There are about 2 metres of DNA inside each cell