Gizmobuild DNA

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Name: Harrison Price Date: 8/30/24

Building DNA

Vocabulary: double helix, DNA, DNA helicase, DNA polymerase, enzyme, mutation,
nitrogenous base, nucleotide, replication

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)


DNA is an incredible molecule that forms the basis of life on Earth. DNA molecules contain
instructions for building every living organism on Earth, from the tiniest bacterium to a massive
blue whale. DNA also can make copies of itself. This allows living things to grow and reproduce.

1. Look at the DNA molecule shown at right. What does it look like?

It looks like a twisted ladder

This shape is called a double helix.

2. Based on this picture, how do you think a DNA molecule makes a


copy of itself? (Hint: Look at the bottom two “rungs” of the ladder.)

The dna molecule unwinds, and the two sides split, then new
nucleotides are added to each side until two identical sequences
result.

Gizmo Warm-up
The Building DNA Gizmo allows you to construct a DNA
molecule and go through the process of DNA replication.

1. Look on the right side of the Gizmo. What is the name


for the components make up a DNA molecule?

Nucleosides and Phosphates

A nucleotide consists of three parts: a phosphate


group (blue circle), a sugar called deoxyribose (tan
pentagon), and a nitrogenous base (shown in color).

2. How many different nitrogenous bases do you see? Four different nitrogenous bases

The names of these nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and
thymine (T).

2018
Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:

Build a DNA ● If necessary, click Reset to start the building


molecule process.

Question: What is the structure of DNA?


Left side Right side
1. Build: Follow the steps given in the Gizmo
to construct a molecule of DNA. (Note: For
simplicity, this DNA molecule is shown in
A T
two dimensions, without the twist.) A T
Stop when the hint reads: “The DNA C G
molecule is complete.” In the spaces at
right, list the sequence of nitrogenous
C G
bases on the left-hand side of the DNA G C
molecule and the right-hand side.
G C
T A
2. Take a picture: Click the camera ( ) to
take a snapshot of your DNA molecule. T A
Right-click the image and select Copy
Image. Paste the image into a blank
document, and label this image “Original
DNA molecule.”

3. Explain: Describe the structure of the DNA molecule you made.

A. What makes up the sides of the DNA molecule? Phosphates

B. What makes up the “rungs” of the DNA molecule? nucleotides

4. Fill in: Write the name of the nitrogenous base that joins to each of the bases below:

Adenine (A) joins to Thymine Thymine (T) joins to Adenine

Cytosine (C) joins to guanine Guanine (G) joins to cytosine

5. Practice: The left side of a DNA molecule is shown. Draw a


complementary right side of the molecule.
6. Challenge: This DNA strand consists of eight pairs of
nitrogenous bases. How many different sequences of eight
bases can you make? Explain how you found your answer.

You can make 8 different sequences for the eight bases


because you have to write down their base pair: A, G, T, A, C, T,
C, G
Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:

DNA ● Be sure the hint reads: “The DNA molecule is complete.”


replication If not, click Reset and build a new DNA molecule.

Question: How does DNA make a copy of itself?

1. Observe: An enzyme is a protein that facilitates certain cell processes. Drag the blue DNA
helicase enzyme onto the DNA strand. What does this enzyme do to the DNA molecule?

It splits up the bases from their pairs

2. Observe: Drag the yellow DNA polymerase molecule onto the DNA strand. DNA
polymerase adds complementary nucleotides to create new double-stranded DNA
molecules. Notice two groups of nucleotides on the right.

A. Drag the correct nucleotide to the bottom of the left strand, where the DNA

polymerase is located. What happens? The Dna moves the

nigrogenous bases to help them connect with the right molecule

B. Continue adding nucleotides to both strands. What happens to the DNA polymerase

molecule each time you add a nucleotide? More nitrogenous bases are

added.

C. Complete the two DNA molecules. How do these molecules compare to each other?

They become the same/identical Molecules.

3. Compare: Click the camera to take a snapshot of the DNA molecules, then paste the image
into your document. Label this image “Daughter DNA molecules.”

How do these molecules compare to the original? It shows the DNA molecule showing
completeDNA molecules for the daughter cell

Congratulations! You have completed the process of replication, where one “parent” DNA
strand divides to form two identical “daughter” DNA strands.
4. Think and discuss: Why is DNA replication such an important process? Whenever a cell
divides, the two new daughter cells must contain the same genetic information, or DNA, as
the parent cell

5. Extend your thinking: Sometimes errors called mutations occur during DNA replication.
What are some of the possible consequences of mutations?

mutations can cause people to be born without eyes, and legs, born with extra arms, and
fingers which can lead to inabilities to do things that unmutated people could do
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