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Virtual Lab-BuildingDNASE

The document summarizes how DNA replicates to make copies of itself. It discusses that DNA is made up of a double helix structure with nucleotides as its building blocks. DNA replication involves DNA helicase splitting the DNA strands and DNA polymerase adding complementary nucleotides to each strand to make two identical DNA molecules. This ensures living things can grow and reproduce by passing down genetic information.

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smol ukelele
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114 views

Virtual Lab-BuildingDNASE

The document summarizes how DNA replicates to make copies of itself. It discusses that DNA is made up of a double helix structure with nucleotides as its building blocks. DNA replication involves DNA helicase splitting the DNA strands and DNA polymerase adding complementary nucleotides to each strand to make two identical DNA molecules. This ensures living things can grow and reproduce by passing down genetic information.

Uploaded by

smol ukelele
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________

Student Exploration: Building DNA

Vocabulary: double helix, DNA, enzyme, mutation, nitrogenous base, nucleoside, 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 has the ability to replicate, or 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?

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 strands separated the


enzyme called DNA polymerase
which copies
each strand using the base-pairing
rule.
The dna strands separated the polymerase enzyme using base-paired
ruling

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

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1. What are the two DNA components shown in the Gizmo?

Nucleotides and phosphates

2. A nucleoside has two parts: a pentagonal sugar


(deoxyribose) and a nitrogenous base (in color). When a
nucleoside is joined to a phosphate, it is called a nucleotide.

How many different nitrogenous bases do you see? Four

Note: The names of these nitrogenous bases are adenine (red), cytosine (yellow), guanine
(blue), and thymine (green).

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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, g c
this DNA molecule is shown in two dimensions,
without the twist.) a t

Stop when the hint reads: “The DNA molecule is c g


complete.” In the spaces at right, list the sequence
of nitrogenous bases on the left-hand side of the t a
DNA molecule and the right-hand side.
g c

2. Take a picture: Click the camera ( ) to take a a t


snapshot of your DNA molecule. Right-click the
image and select Copy Image. Paste the image c g
into a blank document, and label this image
“Original DNA molecule.” t a

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? Nucleosides

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

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

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

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.

Eight

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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. Click Release
enzyme to release DNA helicase. What does this enzyme do to the DNA molecule?

It splits the bases from their pairs

2. Observe: Click Release enzyme to release DNA polymerase.

A. Notice that two groups of Nucleotides appear on the right. What are the three parts

of a nucleotide? Ribose sugar, a phosphate molecule, four nitrogenous bases

B. Drag one of the nucleotides to a corresponding nitrogenous base on one of the two

strands. What is the role of DNA polymerase in this process? Make dna from

nucleotides

3. Build: Complete the two molecules of DNA by dragging nucleotides to their corresponding
locations. When you have finished, compare the two completed daughter DNA molecules.

What do you notice about the two molecules? They both show the DNA molecule strand

4. Take a picture: Click the camera to take a snapshot of the DNA molecules, and paste the
image into your document. Label this image “Daughter DNA molecules.”

How do these molecules compare to the original? It shows a complete dna molecule

5. Think and discuss: Why is DNA replication such an important process? Many molecules are
involved in the process

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

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Genetic disorders or diseases

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