3D - 2

How do I build a 3D DNA Model?

I need -what materials -where the materials go Thank You!

Public Comments

1. Get two wire coathangers or similar stiff wire. You'll probably need about 2 ft. of wire. It needs to be straight. Wind each wire around a broom handle so that it makes a long helix. Over the length of the wire, you should make at least one, preferably about two full twists around the broom handle. Take the wire off of the broom. Drill two small holes, no bigger than the diameter of the wire, about 1 1/2" apart in a piece of wood. The wood will act as your base. Stick the ends of the wires into the wood and adjust them until you get the double helix shape of a DNA molecule. Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA or similar reference to get the basic shape. Get some tape in four colors. You'll need one color each for Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine. Use the tape to bridge the gap between the wires. Half of the gap will be one color and half will be a second color. Overlap the tape just enough to make the ends stick together. Guanine only hooks to Cytosine and Adenine only hooks to Thymine. Here's an image of what you're trying to build: http://www.marine-genomics-europe.org/upload/DNA_molecule_copie.jpg I don't like how twisted the helical elements are in that image, but it shows the way you should be connecting the colored tape between the two wires. Here's another reference that should give you an idea of what to do, but it shows the phosphate backbones as straight rather than helical http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/builddna/