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How to Make a DNA Model Using Candy
From your Biology Guide
A fun way to construct a DNA model using candy.
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Time Required:
15 minutes
Here's How:
- Gather together red and black licorice sticks, colored marshmallows or gummy bears, toothpicks and string.
- Assign names to the colored marshmallows or gummie bears to represent nucleotide bases. There should be four different colors each representing either adenine, cytosine, guanine or thymine.
- Assign names to the colored licorice pieces with one color representing the pentose sugar molecule and the other representing the phosphate molecule.
- Cut the licorice into 1 inch pieces.
- String half of the licorice pieces together lengthwise alternating between the black and red pieces.
- Repeat the procedure for the remaining licorice pieces to create a total of two stands of equal length.
- Connect two different colored marshmallows or gummy bears together using the toothpicks.
- Connect the toothpicks with the candy to either the red licorice segments only or the black licorice segments only, so that the candy pieces are between the two strands.
- Holding the ends of the licorice sticks, twist the structure slightly.
Tips:
- When connecting the base pairs be sure to connect the ones that pair naturally in DNA. For example, adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine.
- When connecting the candy base pairs to the licorice, the base pairs should be connected to the licorice pieces that represent the pentose sugar molecules.
Related Information:
More How To's from your Guide to Biology
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