Hobbies And Interests
Double Helix Styrofoam Model
Construct a DNA double helix molecule using using rigid foam balls. Gather about 100 foam balls and toothpicks. Choose four colors for the molecules of the DNA model: adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine, and one color to represent the the phosphate backbone. Paint the balls and let them dry for one day. Connect the molecules in pairs using toothpicks. Remember that adenine is paired with thymine and cytosine is paired with guanine. Alternate each row with each pair with a phosphate ball in between. Use a wooden stand to hold up your DNA molecule. Twist the DNA molecule around the stand to form the double helix.
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Double Helix DNA Candy Molecule
Construct a DNA double helix molecule using candy. Gather 1-inch red and black licorice pieces to represent the sugar phosphate backbone of the DNA, gumdrops in four different colors to represent the bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine), small marshmallows to represent the hydrogen bonds that hold the bases together and toothpicks to hold the entire molecule together.
DNA Double Helix Recyclable Material Project
Construct a DNA double helix using recycled cans, bottles and bottle caps. Gather two different brands of soda cans, clear plastic soda bottles and two different-colored types of bottle caps. The soda cans represent the deoxyribose and phosphate backbone. Label each of the plastic soda bottles with the base it represents (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine). The bottle caps represent the carbon and hydrogen bonds. Manipulate the components to form the DNA double helix for your science project.
DNA Extraction
Design an experiment to extract and purify DNA from strawberries. Chill rubbing alcohol in the freezer as you will need it later on in the experiment. Create extraction liquid by mixing salt, water and laundry detergent. Line a funnel with cheesecloth and place the funnel tube into a glass. Place strawberries in a plastic bag and remove any air. Seal the bag and smash the strawberries. Add three tablespoons of extraction to strawberries. Remove air and seal bag. Squeeze the bag again. Pour the mixture into the funnel to gather into the glass. Slowly add the chilled alcohol so that it forms a layer on the top of the strawberry mixture. The DNA forms between the strawberries and alcohol. Observe as the DNA forms a white precipitate onto the alcohol layer. Collect the precipitate using a bamboo skewer. You have just extracted DNA from strawberries. Create a poster board presentation for your project. Draw and post an image of a DNA double helix to explain what the DNA molecule you extracted looks like.