January 30

DUE JANUARY 31

Building DNA Activity: Exploring DNA Structure & Replication 🧬

In this activity, you explored DNA structure and how it replicates using an interactive Gizmo. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life and has a unique double helix shape.

What You Did:

1. Constructing a DNA Molecule

• You built a DNA model by assembling nucleotides, which consist of:

  • Phosphate group

  • Deoxyribose sugar

  • Nitrogenous base (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine)

• You identified the base-pairing rules:

  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)

  • Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)

• You took a snapshot of your completed DNA molecule.

2. DNA Replication

• You used enzymes to simulate DNA replication:

  • DNA helicase unwound the double helix.

  • DNA polymerase added new nucleotides to create two identical DNA strands.

• You observed that each new DNA molecule was an exact copy of the original (semi-conservative replication).

• You documented the “Daughter DNA molecules” and compared them to the original.

Key Takeaways:

✅ DNA is the blueprint of life, carrying genetic instructions for all living organisms.
✅ Base-pairing rules ensure DNA replication is accurate and produces identical copies.
✅ Enzymes play a crucial role in unwinding and assembling new DNA strands.
✅ Mutations (errors in replication) can lead to genetic variations or disorders.

Why This Matters:

Understanding DNA structure and replication is essential for learning about genetics, heredity, and medical research. The process of DNA replication allows cells to grow, divide, and pass on genetic information from one generation to the next.

Great job building and replicating DNA! Keep exploring how genetics shapes life around us. 🔬🚀