Teaching Notes
Make a Paper Model: DNA
Overview:
In this activity you will make a paper model of a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure.
Learning Goals:
1. Make a 3D model of transfer Ribonucleic acid (DNA) using the template(s) provided.
2. Study the 3D model of DNA to understand its structure and functions (e.g. codonanticodon recognition and delivering the correct amino acid).
Educational Standards
A. Common Core
a. Key Ideas and Details
i. RST.11-12.3
b. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
i. RI.11-12.7
B. Next Generation Science Standards
a. Practices
i. 2. Developing and using models
b. Crosscutting Concepts
i. 3. Scale, proportion and quantity
ii. 4. Systems and system models
iii. 6. Structure and function
c. Disciplinary Core Ideas
i. LS1.A: Structure and Function
ii. LS1.D: Information Processing
iii. PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
iv. PS2.B: Types of Interactions
C. Advanced Placement Biology - Essential Knowledge (EK), Learning Objectives (LO),
Science Practices (SP)
a. EK 4.A.1
i. LO 4.2, SP 1.3
ii. LO 4.3, SP 6.1, 6.4
b. EK 4.A.2
i. LO 4.4, SP 6.4
ii. LO 4.6, SP 1.4
Teaching Notes
1. It is recommended that you read the Molecule of the Month article on DNA before
attempting to make the paper model.
2. While folding along the diagonal lines, bear in mind that if the mountain and valley folds
are reversed, the model will become that of a left handed DNA.
3. A simple way to determine whether the DNA model that you made is right handed or left
handed is the pretend to wrap your fingers around the DNA molecule, allowing your
fingers to follow the DNA backbone. If you can wrap your right hand around the DNA
helix, it is right handed and if you wrap the helix with your left hand then it is left handed.
Developed as part of the RCSB Collaborative Curriculum Development Program 2015
Teaching Notes
4. Once the DNA model is made, explore it – can you use it to explain DNA replication? (Hint:
you may use a model with the A, T, G, C marked so that you can explain how the basepairing happens and where)
5. Can you find the major and minor grooves? Why it is important to identify these?
Ans.- DNA recognizing proteins have to do this in order to bind to specific sequences or to
DNA in general to regulate its functions.
Major groove
Fingers of right
hand follow the
DNA backbone –
right-handed DNA
Minor groove
Developed as part of the RCSB Collaborative Curriculum Development Program 2015