DNA Origami

Objective:
To model DNA structure through origami.

Introduction:
This activity was designed by DNA Interactive (http://www.dnai.org), and has
been slightly modified. Students will see that the backbone of DNA comprises
of sugars and phosphates whereas the bases are on the inside of the structure,
and they will see the antiparallel nature of DNA. They will learn that Adenine is
always paired with Thymine, and Guanine always with Cytosine, and that AT
base pairing uses two hydrogen bonds,where as GC uses three hydrogen bonds.

Essential Vocabulary:
There are several important terms described in Chapter 4 section 3. In your
activity you must be able to explain the parts of your model, words you will
be expected to use and understand are as follows:
DNA

Sugars

Phosphates

Nitrogen Bases

Antiocodon

Codon

Base Pairing

Nucleic Acid

Chromosomes

Protein

Activity:
First label all bases and color the parts of your model: Sugars are white and
phosphates are black, Adenine is red, thymine is yellow, guanine is green and
cytosine is blue. Follow the instructions on the attached worksheet or at
http://biotech.bio5.org/sites/default/files/pdf/origami_inst.pdf to complete
your model.

Rubric:
DNA Model

All Nitrogen Bases are labeled

correctly
All phosphates and sugars are
color coded correctly
All 10 instructions were followed
and model looks like a DNA strand
Total Points: 15

Essential Vocabulary and Creative

Elements
All 10 Essential vocabulary
properly integrated into task (10 points)

Total Points: 5

Total: 20 points