Students used candy to model the structure of DNA & RNA. The Candy DNA was made in a previous activity. They were expected to create an assigned sequence of RNA nucleotides from their already created DNA strand.
In DNA, each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose (red licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (Skittle). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back-bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose. In RNA, each nucleotide consists of a ribose (black licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (Skittle). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back-bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose. The Skittle bases are as follows:
Based on the original stand of DNA, the complimentary strand of RNA was created using the correct base pairs: G to C, C to G, T to A, A to U, the U replacing the T in RNA. Unit 4: Genetics & Heredity Students used candy to model the structure of DNA. They were expected to create an assigned sequence of DNA nucleotides and then likewise create the complimentary DNA strand.
In DNA, each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose (red licorice), a phosphate (marshmallow), and a nitrogenous base (Skittle). It is important that the deoxyribose and phosphates make up the back-bone and that the bases are bound to the deoxyribose. The Skittle bases are as follows:
Based on the original stand of DNA, the complimentary strand of DNA was created using the correct base pairs: G to C, C to G, T to A, A to T. The original DNA strand was glued in place for a later activity (transcription). Please note the following:
The cell membrane is made of two layers of lipids. On each lipid molecule, there is a part of the molecule that repels water (hydrophobic) and a part that does not repel water (hydrophilic). The only way the lipid molecules could arrange themselves along the border between the inside of the cell (where there is water) and the outside of the cell (where there is also water) is to line up in two layers, back-to-back. The hydrophilic sides of molecules face the water in or out of the cell, while the hydrophobic portions are protected within.
In this activity, candy corn modeled the lipid molecules where the yellow part is hydrophilic and the orange/white portion is hydrophobic. The role of the cell membrane is to regulate (control) what enters and leaves the cell, allowing some materials in/out while preventing other materials from doing so. In a similar way, a screen window allows certain things to enter/leave the home, yet prevents others from doing so. A cell membrane allows some materials to either move into the cell or out of the cell, much like a screen window which allows some things into a home or out of the home. The cell membrane prevents certain materials from enter the home or leaving the cell, just like a screen window prevents certain things from entering the home or leaving the home.
Unit 3: Life, Cells, & Energy |
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