Names:  

Objective:  Formulate a model to show how the order of bases in DNA determines the order of bases in mRNA and infer why the structure of DNA enables it to be easily copied.

Materials:

DNA nucleotide templates                    clear tape

RNA nucleotide templates                    colored pencils or markers

scissors                                                Assigned order of DNA bases

Procedure:

1.   Color the DNA template nucleotides and RNA template nucleotides with these colors:

deoxyribose – orange                           adenine – red

ribose – brown                                     thymine – green

phosphate – black                                guanine – blue

                                                            cytosine – yellow

2.   Cut out the nucleotides and arrange the DNA nucleotides in the order given to you by your teacher. Tape the nucleotides together.  This will only be half of your DNA molecule.

3.   Arrange and tape the DNA nucleotides that complete the other half of your DNA molecule.

4.   Using only the original strand of DNA, begin matching complimentary mRNA nucleotides and tape these together.

5.   You can now tape the two halves of your DNA molecules together. 

6.   You have demonstrated how DNA provides the message for mRNA.

7.   Turn in your DNA and RNA models along with this worksheet.

Conclusions:

1.   Does the mRNA model more closely resemble the DNA strand from which it was transcribed or the complementary strand that wasn’t used?  Explain

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2.   Explain how the structure of DNA enables the molecule to be easily transcribed.  Whys is this important for genetic information?

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3.   Whys is RNA important to the cell?  How does an mRNA molecule carry information from DNA?

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