Vince Lorenz C.

Abante

BSBIO2201

MATERIALS:

- Clay
- Straw
- Thread
- Scissors
- Barbeque sticks

METHODS

1. Calculate the number of phosphates, deoxyribose, and ribose needed for your DNA and RNA

models. Note that the nitrogen bases may vary in number and types between kits.

45 Phosphate For 30 Deoxyribose for DNA 15 Deoxyribose for RNA

both DNA and RNA

2. Group the plastic chips according to color. One group represents one chemical component.

3. Examine each color group if there are differences in shape. If there are any, segregate them into

subgroups according to shape. Two subgroups of the same color represent the same chemical

component but one is fitted only to DNA and the other only to RNA.

Cylindrical-shaped Medium Sphere-shaped Small Sphere-shaped

 4. Count the plastic chips in each group and subgroup.

Cylindrical-shaped
Medium Sphere-shaped - 45

Small Sphere-shaped -45

5-6. Based on your counts and the shapes in each color group, segregate which chips would fit a
DNA model and which chips would fit an RNA model. Designate each color of plastic chips as o what
chemical component it represents. (Remember: DNA has 2-deoxy-D-ribose and thymine whie RNA has
D-ribose and uracil).

DNA
RNA
7.

Assemble a nucleotide.

8. Extend your polynucleotide and work out the other complementary strand. Make sure your DNA

strands are antiparallel.

9. Label the 5' and 3' ends.
10. Build your RNA model following the above procedure.

11. Complete the worksheet at the end of this exercise.