How Do You Make A Simple DNA Model?
This simple DNA model uses common, inexpensive materials to make the DNA molecule’s characteristic “twisted ladder” (double helix) form. Dry “wagon wheel” and ziti pastas strung on fishing line represent the molecule’s sugar components and phosphate components, respectively, which make up the long sides of the ladder. Pipe cleaner pieces in blue, green, purple and orange correspond to the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine which form pairs to become the rungs of the ladder. This project is recommended for children in grades six through eight with adult supervision, and can be completed within an hour. Tie a knot through the center hole of a piece of wagon wheel pasta near the end of a piece of fishing line. String a piece of ziti pasta on the line, and continue alternating pasta pieces until nine pieces of wagon wheel pasta and eight pieces of ziti pasta have been strung. Tie a knot through the center hole of the last wagon wheel pasta piece and cut off any excess fishing lin
