Student___________________________
Your Initials: ____
_____
_____
Block 2 3 4
A/B
DNA Model Project
I would suggest using wire or pipe cleaners as a framework, and using beads, Styrofoam balls, colored marbles, or
some other item that you can support on the framework to represent sugars, phosphate groups, and the four
nitrogen bases. That means you need six different colors or shapes, and a way to hold them together and support
them. Nitrogen bases must be attached to the sugars, not the phosphates, and base pairing rules must be followed.
Finally, the model must show the helical shape of DNA. NO PROJECT KITS (THOSE THAT YOU CAN BUY)
WILL BE ACCEPTED. THIS PROJECT MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK.
DATE ASSIGNMENT GIVEN: ______________
DUE DATE: ________________________
Note: you have been given a minimum of 2 weeks to complete this project. Projects turned in
after the due date will incur a 20% penalty for being late.
Adenine (A) – Green
Thymine (T) – Black
Guanine (G) – Yellow
Cytosine (C) – Red
Sugars and Phosphates – your choice as long as they are not the same as the Nitrogen Base colors.
Possible Points
10
20
Project Instructions
The model can either hang as a mobile or be mounted on a display stand or sturdy other
sturdy material. The model is not fragile: it is sturdy enough to be handled and touched
without breaking
The DNA molecule depicts all four types of nucleotides (A, T, C and G) using the
appropriate colors. The nucleotides are arranged correctly in complementary pairs (A-T, CG)
The bases are correctly arranged according to the simplified codons that correspond to the
builder’s initials.
The sugar/phosphate “backbone” of the two helices is on the outside and bases of each
nucleotide are internal to the backbone.
The sugars and phosphates shown are attached at the appropriate location (nitrogen bases
attached to the sugars).
Model has a key representing all parts of the model. Student’s name is on the model.
10
Bonus – Creativity, design, uniqueness.
110
Total
25
25
10
10
Points Earned
If you have any questions about structure or using materials that you have, please ask. I do not expect this
to be an expensive project, so use what you have. Be creative with this model! Do not use anything that will spoil
or create a mess. Do not make it too big. Remember, you have to get it to school in one piece. Your model
should be between eight (8) and eighteen (18) inches, depending on what it is made of. It should have a
minimum of nine base pairs represented. If you have an idea that doesn’t fit this description, please check with
me first to make sure it will work and you will get maximum points. Have fun!!
TURN IN THIS RUBRIC WITH YOUR PROJECT
DNA Project
Creating your base pairs
Step 1:
Write each letter of your initials in the blanks
provided.
Step 2:
Look at the Simplified Codon column of Table 1
to find the DNA code for each letter of your initials.
Step 3:
Replace each letter of your initials with its threeletter codon. Use Table 1 to help you convert your name into
its DNA sequence.
Step 4:
This is the original DNA strand. The other side
of the strand should correspond to this strand using the base
pairing rules. Fill in Table 2 with both strands.
Your initials:
______
______
_______
Table 2
Base
Sequence
LEFT side
Base Colors:
A=Green
T=Black
C=Red
G=Yellow
Base
Sequence
RIGHT side
Table 1
Alphabet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Simplified
Codon
GCT
GCA
TGC
GAT
GAG
TTT
GGG
CAT
ATA
ATC
AAG
CTC
ATG
GAC
GAT
CCC
GCG
CGT
TCA
ACT
ACG
GTC
TGG
GTA
TAC
TAT