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DNA Model Project

You can do this easy DNA model using candies for your school project. It is a great idea for the biology lab too. Common materials enable constructing it at home. This cool activity suits middle school, high school and honors students as well as smaller kids. Being an edible model, children can savor it post completion. Reason enough for getting them interested, what say?

DNA Model Project

How to Make A 3D Candy Double Helix DNA Model

Requirements

  • Black and red licorice sticks
  • Gummy bears or marshmallows in 4 different colors
  • Needle
  • Toothpicks
  • Scissors
  • String

Step By Step Instructions

  1. Assign names to colored marshmallows to signify the nucleotide bases. The 4 colors would represent adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine.
  2. Assign names to the licorice sticks such that one color represents the pentose sugar molecule and the other the phosphate molecule.
  3. Cut the licorice into 1-inch pieces with the scissors.
  4. Use the needle to string half of the licorice pieces lengthwise, alternating between the 2
  5. Repeat the above step with the remaining licorice pieces to form 2 strands of the same length.
  6. Connect pairs of marshmallows of different colors with toothpicks signifying the hydrogen bonds. Note that adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine with guanine naturally.
  7. Connect the toothpicks with the candies to either the black or red licorice pieces, whichever signifies the pentose sugar molecules, on both the strands such that you have candies in between the 2
  8. Holding the licorice sticks at the ends give the structure a slight twist.

Picture of DNA Model Project

Video

Ever wondered how simple household items create such beautiful scientific models? You have to make it to believe it. Follow the directions to make your own DNA model and get noticed at a science fair for your creative skills. Though there are others ways of building it, do it with candies to indulge your sweet tooth. Food lovers would also like to go with the above yummy supplies.

Published on January 27th 2018 by under Science Fair Projects. Article was last reviewed on 15th November 2023.

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