CROSS-SPECIALIZATION
TRAINING FOR GRADES 7-10
SCIENCE TEACHERS
Session 4
DNA STRUCTURE
SCIENCE DOMAIN: Living Things and Their Environment
Prepared by:
Donata R. Regunton
Head Teacher III
National Capital Region, Division of Quezon City
Department of Education
Objectives
At the end of the session, the teachers should be able to:
1. construct a DNA model by using a paper;
2. identify the different chemical components of a DNA molecule;
3. explain complementary base pairing of nitrogenous bases;
4. describe the location of genes in chromosomes;
5. make a bracelet that carries some of the code for an organism.
Key Understandings
1. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that contains all the
genetic information of an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce.
2. DNA is composed of chains of nucleotides built on a sugar and phosphate
backbone and wrapped around each other in the form of a double helix. The
backbone supports four bases: guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine. Guanine
and cytosine are complementary, always appearing opposite each other on the
helix, as are adenine and thymine. The order of the bases and rungs creates a
kind of code for the DNA information.
3. A chromosome is made of a very long strand of DNA and contains many
genes (hundreds to thousands).
4. The genes on each chromosome are arranged in a particular sequence, and
each gene has a particular location on the chromosome (called its locus).
Materials Time Allotment
photocopy of DNA sheets 4 hours
crayons
scissor
tape or glue
clay
References
"Sequence Bracelets Instructions." Yourgenome.org. Accessed July 27, 2017.
https://www.yourgenome.org/sites/default/files/downloads/activities/sequence-bracelets/
sequencebracelets-instructions.pdf.
"Paper DNA (Double Helix)." Instructables. http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-DNA-
Double-Helix .
“Modeling DNA Structure." PBS Learning Media. Accessed July 27, 2017.
https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.repro.
dnastructure/modeling-dna-structure/#.WhOdTEqWbIU.
"Building a Model DNA." Discovery Education. Accessed July 27, 2017.
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/building- a-model-
dna.cfm.
Price, Erin Watson. "How to Make DNA Models of Paper Clips." Sciencing. Accessed
July 27, 2017. https://sciencing.com/make-dna-models-paper-clips- 8475130.html.
Procedure
The facilitator will greet the participants. The facilitator will ask the participants to
brainstorm traits they have that are passed on from their parents, such as eye color, hair
texture, and facial characteristics. Then ask them how these traits are passed on from one
generation to the next.
The answer is DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. Explain that all organisms carry an elaborate
blueprint containing the information necessary to develop and maintain life. This “manual of
instructions” is located in a chemical molecule called DNA.
Activity (30 minutes)
The facilitator will begin with an activity by asking them the relationship among genes, DNA
and chromosomes.
Instruct them to create a two-dimensional model of genes, DNA and chromosomes
showing their relationships.
Tell the participants that they will be presenting and describing their output afterwards.
Analysis (10 minutes)
The facilitator will ask the following questions:
1. What is the relationship between chromosomes and genes and between
genes and DNA molecules?
2. What makes up a chromosome?
3. What is the genetic material?
4. What is the relationship between genes and traits expressed in individuals?
Activity ( 60 minutes)
The facilitator will state that the genes are composed of DNA and lie within chromosomes.
Participants will understand by watching the video about genes, chromosomes and DNA.
Distribute the materials needed (See Activity 2).
The facilitator will instruct the participants to construct a 3D model of DNA and identify the
components of a DNA molecule.
Tell the participants that they will be presenting and describing their output afterwards.
Analysis (20 minutes)
The facilitator will ask the following questions:
1. What are the common parts of a nucleotide?
2. What is the one part of the nucleotide that differs among the other different
nucleotides?
3. What are the different kinds of nitrogen bases.
4. Are there always going to be an equal number of adenine and thymine nucleotides in
molecule? Why?
5. Are there always going to be an equal number of guanine and cytosine nucleotides in a
molecule? Why?
6. The sides of the ladder are made up of alternating _______and_________ molecules.
The steps (or rungs) of the ladder are made up of _______ held together by hydrogen bonds.
Activity ( 60 minutes)
The facilitator will state that to understand the structure of DNA molecules better another
activity will be given.
Distribute the materials needed (See Activity 3).
The facilitator will instruct the participants to construct a 3D model of DNA and identify the
components of a DNA molecule.
Tell the participants that they will be presenting and describing their output afterwards.
Analysis (20 minutes)
The facilitator will ask the following questions:
1. What base does adenine pair with?
2. What base does guanine pair with?
3. Describe the shape of the DNA molecule.
4. What are the three components of a nucleotide?
5. Suppose you know that the sequence of bases on one DNA strand (one side of the
DNA ladder) is AGCTCAG. What is the sequence of the bases on the opposite strand?
6. Assume that a 100-base pair DNA double helix contains 45 cytosine’s. How many
adenines are there?
Abstraction (30 minutes)
Discuss the following key points:
1. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that contains all the genetic information of an
organism needs to develop, live and reproduce. These genetic information are found inside
every cell, and are passed down from parents to their offspring.
2. DNA is composed of chains of nucleotides built on a sugar and phosphate backbone
and wrapped around each other in the form of a double helix. The backbone supports four
bases: guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine. Guanine and cytosine are complementary,
always appearing opposite each other on the helix, as are adenine and thymine. Adenine (A)
and guanine (G) are double-ringed bases, which are called purine bases. Thymine (T) and
cytosine (C) are single-ringed bases, which are called pyrimidine bases. The rungs are
always the same width because a purine base always binds to a pyrimidine base. The order
of the bases and rungs creates a kind of code for the DNA information.
3. DNA is found within a person’s genes. Genes are small structures found in
chromosomes, structures within the nucleus of cells.
4. A chromosome is made of a very long strand of DNA and contains many genes
(hundreds to thousands).
5. The genes on each chromosome are arranged in a particular sequence, and each gene
has a particular location on the chromosome (called its locus).
6. A gene is a molecular unit of heredity.
APPLICATION (30 minutes)
Have the participants use this topic to integrate art and science. Instruct them to design
their own activity about DNA Model Making, using materials of their own choice. They should
include a key that explains what each item represents.
Tell the participants that they will be presenting and describing their output afterwards.
The facilitator will discuss the Structure and Function of Biomolecules in preparation for the
discussion of DNA replication and Protein synthesis.
Closing
The facilitator will end the session by presenting the quotation below:
“The ability of a cell to sense these broken ends, to direct them towards each other, and
then to unite them so that the union of the two DNA strands is correctly oriented, is a
particularly revealing example of the sensitivity of cells to all that is going on within them. They
make wise decisions and act on them".
–Barbara McClintock
