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DNA STRUCTURE REVIEW 

* First discussed with Chapter 2 - Biochemistry
* Notebook Reference, "Jingle DNA" song 

   Biology Project - DNA Model

(Chapter 9)
* All projects must be submitted on or before the due date.
If you are absent, send in your project, anyway.
* No late projects accepted after 5 school days past the due date. 

This project counts 100 points towards your second nine-weeks grade.  Below is a list of guidelines you should follow when constructing your model.  Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a loss of points and lower your grade on the project.  A grading rubric for the project is located on the back of this page.  You MUST complete the self-assessment prior to submitting your model.  PROJECTS WILL NOT RECIEVE FULL CREDIT IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SELF-ASSESSED.  If in doubt about any items on the list, please see me and/or your notes for more information.  * DNA model Kits may NOT be used for this project.

Students who fail to turn-in a project will be offered an alternative "late" assignment.  The highest grade attainable on the alternative "late" assignment will be a 78% /C and it will be due two class days after the student receives the alternative assignment.

1.  3-dimensional and free standing, with a base for support.  

2.  Must be a Double Helix with one complete rotation/full twist.  
     (Crossing and curving the sides of your model do not represent twisting into the double helix). 

3.  At least 20 nucleotides (10 crosspieces plus attached sugars and phosphates). 
     *This will help ensure your model spirals completely. 

4.  Bases must be paired correctly:  adenine - thymine;  guanine - cytosine 
     All four bases must be used. The third (from the top) nucleotide pair must be G-C and the ninth and tenth nucleotide pairs must be 
      A-T & C-G (respectively);  the remaining nucleotides can be in any order.  Remember, adenine and guanine (purines) are going to
      be longer pieces than thymine and cytosine (pyrimidines). 
      *Up to 5 points extra credit can be earned by showing the weak hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases. 

5.  The crosspieces should not touch the crosspieces above and below, should be all the same length,
     and should be spaced at equal distances.   

6.  The sidepieces must be shown correctly.
     Sidepieces should consist of alternating deoxyribose sugar and phosphate units, must be attached to the bases down each side of the
      molecule.  The deoxyribose sugar is attached to the base and there is one phosphate between every two sugars. 

7.  Your project must be your own.
     Each type of molecule must be distinguished from the others in some way.  You may use a different color for each part, or use the 
      code letters: A for adenine, C for cytosine, G for guanine, T for thymine, P for phosphate, and D for deoxyribose sugar.  A key must
      be attached to the top-side of the base of your model identifying what each color or letter represents.    

8.  Your model must be sturdy and stay together long enough to be graded (at least 3 days), be neat, and your 
     name and block number must be easily seen on the top side of the base. 
     (Don’t ask for supplies or class time to fix or prepare your model – bring your model in ready.) 

9.  You may use any materials that you choose (EXCEPT perishable food) to construct your model as long as you
     fulfill the above requirements using these materials.  
     You should be creative in selecting material for constructing the model.  It is not necessary to purchase expensive craft supplies.   
      NOTE:  Some of the best projects have been those that show evidence that more thought has gone into the project than money; 
      clever resourcefullness involves searching for materials that are already available and incorporating them into your model.  Some 
      things that have been successfully used in the past include:  Styrofoam balls, wooden or plastic beads, popsicle sticks and ribbon, 
      cardboard and construction paper, dried pasta, wooden blocks, safety pins, colored straws, and pom poms. 

    *See me if you have trouble obtaining supplies -- I have a number of things saved from past projects that you are welcome to use.

Grading Rubric for DNA Project 
The following must be completed and placed under your DNA project. 

Name ______________________________________________           Block _________    

  Due dates

    B-day: 4/22
    A-day: 4/23

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This site is maintained by Mrs. Lant, for her student's, at F. W. Cox HS.  Please e-mail any comments or suggestions!
Last modified: April 02, 2008