Name: Ivan Hernandez Date:

Student Exploration: Building DNA

Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.

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?

The double helix is the description of the structure of a

DNA molecule.

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.)

I imagine that he passes some DNA molecules so that the

person has something similar

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

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

nucleosides, 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? two bases nitrogenous

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

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 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, A T
this DNA molecule is shown in two dimensions,
A G
without the twist.)
C C
Stop when the hint reads: “The DNA molecule is
complete.” In the spaces at right, list the sequence C A
of nitrogenous bases on the left-hand side of the
DNA molecule and the right-hand side. G T

2. Take a picture​: 📷
Click the ​camera​ ( ) to take a
snapshot of your DNA molecule. Right-click the
G G

image and select ​Copy Image​. Paste the image T C

below, and label this image “Original DNA
T A
molecule.”

📷
3. Explain​: Describe the structure of the DNA molecule you made.

A. What makes up the sides of the DNA molecule? azucar

B. What makes up the “rungs” of the DNA molecule? fostate

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

Adenine (A) joins to NH2 Thymine (T) joins to O

Cytosine (C) joins to NH2 Guanine (G) joins to O

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.

Creating a DNA molecule in gizmos.

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 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?

Each enzyme recognizes one or small number of target sequences and cuts DNA at or
near those sequences.

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

A. Notice that two groups of ​Nucleotides​ appear on the right. What are the t​ hree​ parts

of a nucleotide? nitrogenous sugar phosphate

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?

In addition to participating in elongation they perform a corrective and restorative

function thanks to their exonuclease activity.

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 are different molecules

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

📷
How do these molecules compare to the original? good but it depends on the molecules
that compose it.

5. Think and discuss​: Why is DNA replication such an important process?

the important property of reproducing identically which allows genetic information to

be transmitted from a stem cell to daughter cells .

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
6. Extend your thinking​: Sometimes errors called ​mutations​ occur during DNA replication. What are some of
the possible consequences of mutations?

They can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals or radiation.

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved