#BioDub Candy RNA Activity from Class on 1/13

Students used candy to model the structure of DNA and RNA. The students created a single strand of candy DNA is an earlier activity. They were expected to use that strand and then likewise create the complimentary strand of RNA.

In DNA, each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose (red licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (candy heart). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose.

Just as well, each nucleotide in RNA consists of a ribose (black licorice), a phosphate, and a nitogenous base. Much like DNA, the ribose and phosphates make up the back bone and that the bases are bound to the ribose.

The candy heart bases are as follows:

• Thymine (DNA only) - Yellow
• Adenine - Pink
• Guanine - Orange
• Cytosine - Purple
• Uracil (RNA only) - White

Based on the original stand of DNA, the complimentary strand of RNA was created using the correct base pairs: G to C and C to G (in both RNA and DNA) and a DNA T to an RNA A, a DNA A to an RNA U. This matching models transcription.

The original DNA strand was glued in place in the earlier activity. Icing was used as glue.

Unit 4: Genetics & Heredity