ACTIVITY 1

DNA MODELING

I. Objectives:
 Identify the components of a DNA molecule
 Construct a model of a molecule of DNA

II. Materials:
- Cutouts of basic subunits of DNA (refer to the DNA Model Template below)
- Crayons
- Scissors (Please handle with care)
- Tape or glue

III. Procedure:
1. Cut out all of the units needed to make the nucleotides from the
Hand out provided at the end of the activity.
2. Color code the nitrogenous bases, phosphorus, and sugar according to the
teacher's directions.

Adenine = yellow, Guanine = green, Thymine = blue, Cytosine = red,

Phosphate = brown, and Deoxyribose = black

3. Using the small squares and stars as guides, line up the bases,
phosphates and sugars.
4. Now glue the appropriate parts together forming nucleotides.
Construct DNA model using the following sequence to form a row from top to
bottom:
Thymine
Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Adenine
Cytosine
5. Let this arrangement represent the left half of your DNA molecule.
6. Complete the right side of the ladder by adding the
complementary bases. You will have to turn them upside down in order to
make them fit.
7. Your finished model should look like a ladder.

Guide Questions:

Q1. What are the common parts of a nucleotide?_____________________

Q2. What is the one part of the nucleotide that differs among the other
different nucleotides?____________________________________________
 Q3. List the different kinds of nitrogen bases___________________________

Q4. Is there always going to be an equal number of adenine and thymine

nucleotides in molecule? Why?___________________________________

Q5. Is there always going to be an equal number of guanine and cytosine

nucleotides in a molecule? Why?__________________________________

DNA MODEL TEMPLATE – BASIC SUBUNITS OF DNA