DNA Jewelry Models
Type of Activity:
Making DNA Jewelry Models is a portion of a unit on molecular genetics. Using the directions for this hands-on activity/lab helps students construct a model of DNA to learn DNA structure and decode it to better understand protein synthesis. They also have an actual badge of their DNA literacy to wear or use.
Whether a key ring, earrings, bracelet, or necklace, students from fourth grade through adult can do and enjoy this activity. (Even visually impaired students made a model using larger beads.)
- Overhead projector for teacher demo
- Large pony beads and floral or electrical wire
- Petri dish to hold demo beads
- Seed beads Size E (3mm) or smaller (1.5mm)
(sparkle and/or plain)
- Jewelry wire
- Key rings, earring wires, clasps
- Fishing line (for single threading)
- Small plastic petri dishes (to hold beads)
- or Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories
(who have generously given permission to share my signed over
copyright with AE teachers.)
Kit #45284 for 30 students. $39.50.
(and of course I recommend this!-instruction sheet
has complete graphics etc...)
Method of Evaluation:
The model and the decoding sheet can be quickly checked for accuracy. Since the activity usually takes two hours to complete, I value it at 20-25 points. (10 pts. per hour of mental investment.)
When scientist Rosalind Franklin first saw the model of DNA created by Watson and Crick based on her research, Ms. Franklin exclaimed, "All that matters is the beauty." By creating jewelry models of DNA, you too can experience Ms. Franklin's delight in the beauty of the master molecule of life.
Part 1 - Creating a DNA Jewelry Model
While creating your DNA model jewelry, keep the following hints in mind:
- Your teacher's demonstration model is there to serve as a guide - refer to it if you need to!
- Remember that the "uprights" (helixes) in the model will be double threaded. Be sure to pick beads with large enough holes to accommodate both wires. (Can test by using second wire as a blind, as you thread, and pull the extra through after both sugar-phosphate strands are complete.)
- Using needle-nose pliers to "tie-off" the or twist the ends of each wire will save your fingertips. Also, remember that it is easier to thread the wire directly through the beads while they are in the dish rather than trying to pick up the beads with your fingers.
NOTE: Except where noted otherwise, the procedure of making key chains,earrings, bracelets, etc.. is exactly the same. To make earrings, you might prefer the small (1.5 mm dia.) seed beads; to make keychains, use the larger (3 mm dia.) E-beads.
- Step 1: Decide which colors you want to use for your model (you will need to choose beads of six different colors - two different colors for the sugars and phosphates, and four different colors for the base pairs.
- Step 2: To make a keychain, earrings, pendant, or central molecule for a silk cord necklace, bracelet, or ankle bracelet, cut two 15 cm (6") strands of wire. Twist two wires together at one end to prevent beads from slipping off as you string them. These strands of wire will be the helixes, or "uprights" of your DNA model.
- Step 3: String an equal and even number of beads of alternating colors onto each of the wires, to represent alternating sugars and phosphates. Make sure to start with the same color bead on each wire. When you have strung the beads on each of the wires, twist a loop at the tops of the "uprights" separately to prevent the beads from falling off. Use a minimum of 26 beads for the basic 2 inch molecule. (when twisted) (Leave one inch of "slack" at the top. If you bead right to the top, it'll be very difficult to wire the bases.)
- Step 4: Cut 30 cm (12") of wire and fold it in half to make an elongated "U". Next, string and center two different colored beads on the wire (or each wire, for earrings), to form the first "rung" or pair of nitrogenous bases.
- Step 5: Thread each end of the wire with the "bases" beads through the third and fourth beads from the bottom of each of the sugar and phosphate "uprights" and 