DNA Model Project

DNA Model Project Biology

Task: You will make a model of DNA using whatever materials you can get your hands on. You can work in groups of 2-3 students.

The model can be made out of almost anything; Straws, pipe cleaners, twizzlers, marshmallows, beads, buttons, whatever you can think of to represent the parts of DNA we have talked about in class.

My only rules are: Your materials cannot smell or rot in my room, and cannot be poisonous or toxic in any way.

I will have some materials at the ready, but you are taking your chances if you do not bring in your own. Plus, you will find that those who remember to bring in their own materials will be graded more favorably to reward them for their responsibility.

What should be in your model: You should represent the following things in your model:

-Phosphate groups -Sugars -Nitrogen Bases (A,G,C,T with proper base pairing)

In addition, you should include the two types of bonds present in DNA:

-Hydrogen bonds -Phosphodiester bonds

What Else? To make sure that you are not just slapping things together, you WILL INCLUDE A KEY with your model. A key is just something that shows what means what in the model. For instance, if I used skittles to represent my base pairs, I would put something on a sheet like “Red skittle=T, Orange skittle=C”, etc. Make sure to label all parts of the model!

Grading: Grading will be on a 0-5 Scale for including the parts of the DNA, a 0-5 Scale for putting the parts in the proper positions (including proper base pairing), and a 0-5 scale for including a detailed key that explains the model, and a 0-5 scale for neatness and creativity for a total of 20 points. Neatness counts, I reserve the right to reduce a grade if the model is a random pile of junk. Have fun. Learning 5 4 3 2 1 0 Goal Understand Covers Is Shows the position Exceptional Material, incomplet very of Knowledge, Meets Shows e in No little of substances In depth Expectation little covering Effor the within a demo of s depth of the t learnin DNA learning knowledg learning g goal molecule e goal Covers Is Shows Understand Exceptional Material, incomplet very The types Knowledge, Meets Shows e in No little of of bonding In depth Expectation little covering Effor the at work demo of s depth of the t learnin within DNA learning knowledg learning g goal e goal

Covers Is Shows Exceptional Material, incomplet Understand very Knowledge, Meets Shows e in No Base little of In depth Expectation little covering Effor Pairing the demo of s depth of the t Rules learnin learning knowledg learning g goal e goal

Exceptionall Very neat Neat or y neat and Sloppy Creativity and creative creative in with Sloppy No and Overall creative with materials materials. with no Effor Presentatio with materials, used with a key is key t n materials, key is key that’s present has a key present easy to read

Total Score: ______/20