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Name________________________________________ Score________________
Group _______________________________________ Date_________________

EXERCISE NO. __
MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES

The students should be able to:

1. construct DNA, mRNA and tRNA models using colored plastic chips
2. relate the colored plastic chips to different molecular components of the DNA
and RNA;
3. know the arrangement and configuration of the various components of DNA
and RNA;
4. relate the physical features of the DNA to the characteristics of the genetic
material.

MATERIALS

Colored plastic chips for DNA and RNA planar models

Pliable plastic-coated wire

PROCEDURE

B. CONSTRUCTION OF DNA AND mRNA MODELS

1. Build 15-nucleotide DNA and mRNA models using colored plastic chips. Calculate
the number of phosphates, deoxyribose and ribose you will need.
2. Group the plastic chips according to color. One group represents one chemical
component.
3. Examine each color group if there are differences in shape. If there are, divide them
into subgroups according to shape. Two subgroups of the same color represent the
same chemical component but one is fitted only to DNA and the other only to RNA.
4. Count the plastic chips in each group and subgroup.
5. Basing on your counts and the shapes in each color group, segregate which chips
would fit a DNA and which chips would fit an RNA model.
6. Designate each color of plastic chips as to what chemical component it represents.
(Remember: DNA has deoxyribose and thymine and RNA has ribose and uracil).
7. Assemble a nucleotide. Extend your polynucleotide and work out the other
complementary strand. Label the 5’ and 3’ ends.
8. Build your RNA model following the above procedure.

B. CONSTRUCTION OF tRNA MODEL

1. Using material that can be twisted and yet hold its shape, construct a model of a
molecule of tRNA (plastic-coated wire or any suitable material may be used).
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2. Include in the description accompanying the model reasons why this molecule is
more functional than the long double-helix model of DNA or the single strand of
mRNA.
3. Indicate what part of the tRNA becomes temporarily attached to the mRNA at the
ribosome. Also show where and how it carries and deposits a particular amino acid in
a particular sequence to form a chain of amino acids required in the synthesis of a
polypeptide.
4. Label the appropriate part of the tRNA model with the specific anticodon; label
another part with the appropriate amino acid that this tRNA will carry.

SKETCHES

LEGEND:

Brown
White
Orange
Blue
Green
Red
Pink
Yellow

DNA MODEL

mRNA MODEL
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tRNA Model

QUESTIONS

1. Examine your DNA model. Explain the features that contribute to its stability and its
ability to self-replicate.

2. Compare your DNA model with at least three of your classmates. In what ways are
they similar?

In what ways are they different? What is the biological significance of such
differences?

3. Compute the A+C : T (or U) + G ratios of your DNA and RNA models. Do you
expect the same values for (a) DNA and (b) RNA models constructed by your
classmates? Why?

4. Calculate the average number of nucleotide pair per micrometer of DNA double helix
according to the dimensions proposed by Watson and Crick.

5. Compute the actual length in micrometer of the DNA represented by your model.
(Note: 1 = 10,000Ao)
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