Name: _______________
Class period: __________
Date: ________________
DNA 3D Model
Objective: You must work by yourself to build a 3D model of a part of a DNA molecule. You may NOT create a poster and you may NOT use a DNA
kit from any store. You MAY build this model out of any material except food and play-doh (you may use modeling clay). The following rubric will
describe the criteria the teacher will use to grade your project. Turn in your project with this rubric.
Rubric:
Points awarded:
Key to Model (5
points)
10
8
Phosphates (5
points)
Sugars
(5 points)
Correct base
pairing
(10 points)
Accurate base
pairing.
Differentiates
between purine
and pyrimidines.
Accurate base
pairing, but does
not differentiate
between purines
and pyrimidines.
Helix twist
(5 points)
Hydrogen bonds
(5 points)
10 or more
nucleotide pairs
(10 points)
5
Accurate key to all
parts of the
structures. Color
coded.
Phosphate
molecules shown
in correct position
4
Key includes most
structures and is
color coded.
Sugar molecules
shown in correct
position and
attached to bases
Base pairs are
present, but some
pairings are
inaccurate.
Half twist in the
helix.
H bonds shown in
correct position &
correct number.
10 or more
nucleotide pairs
(including sugar,
phosphate, and
base)
8-9 nucleotide
pairs.
Quality/effort
(5 points)
Total __________ (50 x 2 = your actual grade!!)
6-7 nucleotide
pairs.
Model is accurate,
easy to
understand, and
tidy.
Model shows most
structures and is
tidy.
3
Key to only 3
structures. Not
color coded.
2
Key to only 2
structures. Not
color coded.
1
Key to only 1
structure. Not
color coded.
0
No key
Phosphate
molecules shown,
but in wrong
position.
Sugar molecules
shown, but in
wrong position.
No phosphate
molecules shown.
Base pairs are
present, but all
pairings are
inaccurate.
No attempt at
base pairings.
Poor twist in the
helix.
H bonds shown,
but in wrong
position or wrong
number.
4-5 nucleotide
pairs.
No twist in the
helix.
No H bonds
shown.
Model is missing
some structures
and is hard to
understand.
No sugar
molecules shown.
3-4 nucleotide
pairs.
2 nucleotide pairs.
Model is
inaccurate and
missing structures.
Model shows
modest effort, but
is sloppy.
Model is not 3D
and shows little
effort.