What is DNA?

Why do you think they are

studying DNA????

GO to Google Classroom and click on the link at the top of the page which will take you to the STEMscopes log-in page

Enter your user name and password (I will give this to you)

Click on the Engage Student Materials link on your page.

You will use this document as you rotate through

the five stations at the back of

the room, answering

questions when needed.

• DNA contains the complete instructions for a cell/organism.

• It is a double helix that is shaped like a long zipper and twisted into a coil like a spring. This unique structure enables

DNA to hold vast amounts of information, and allows that information to be copied as necessary for cell reproduction and the creation of proteins.

What is DNA?

• DNA is made of two chains of nucleotides (called a double helix) held together by four nitrogenous bases: thymine (T), adenine (A), cytosine (C) and guanine (G).

• These complementary base pairs have a specific coding pattern • T always bonds with A, and • C always bonds with G.

What is DNA?

Station 1: The Genetic Book of Life

For this activity, you were ask to make an analog between DNA and the “Genetic Book of Life”

Genome: Chromosome: DNA strands: Genes: Base-pairs:

Book Chapter Sentences Words Letters

Station 2: Patterns in DNA

What patterns did you observe in the molecule?

twisted shape, repeating units of phosphates

and sugars. a pattern of nitrogen bases

only pairing with certain ones. one side begins with 5’ and

ends with 3’. The other side starts with 3’ and ends with 5’.

Station 3: Who Am I?

In this activity, you matched the term, description, and image of the parts of the DNA molecule.

Term #1: Term #2:Term #3: Term #4: Term#5:

Double helixGeneHydrogen bondChromosomeNucleotide

Station 4 Reading Charts

What trends or patterns can you see?• Adenine and thymine have the

same percentage amount. • Guanine and cytosine have the

same percentage amount.

Station 4 Reading Charts

Predict the percentages of bases from the information in this chart.

23

27

27

Station 5 DNA Structure

What are the three components of a nucleotide?A phosphate group, a 5-carbon (pentose) sugar, and one of 4 nitrogenous bases.

What types of bond connect the nitrogenous bases?Hydrogen bond

What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?Adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine

What molecule does the nitrogenous base bond to?The deoxyribose sugar

Describe any patterns you see regarding the nitrogenous bases.Nitrogen bases always pair with a certain base. A pairs with T, and G pairs with C.

Station 5 DNA Structure

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

A phosphate group, a 5-carbon (pentose) sugar, and one of 4 nitrogenous bases.

HydrogenBonds

Station 5 DNA Structure

What types of bond connect the nitrogenous bases?

Station 5 DNA Structure

What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

Station 5 DNA Structure

What molecule does the nitrogenous base bond to?

Station 5 DNA Structure

Describe any patterns you see regarding the nitrogenous bases.

Station 5 DNA Structure

Describe any patterns you see regarding the nitrogenous bases.

Nitrogen bases always pair with a certain base.

Chargaff’s RuleChargaff’s Rule