A Hands-on Approach to Teaching about DNA Structure and Function

Peebles, Patsye; Leonard, William H.

doi:10.2307/4448581

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

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“…Inexpensive DNA models can be made by twisting two chains of paper clips (5); tracing the spiral groove on a paper towel roll (6); using pipe cleaners, colored felt, and construction paper (7); pipe cleaners with beads (8); clay, or marshmallows, wooden beads with cocktail sticks and cardboard strips (9); green peas and toothpicks (10); toothpicks placed inside the tear-away holes used to feed computer paper into the printer (11); boxes (12); construction paper (13) and velcro (14); velcro strips and tape (15); macrame cords (16); as well as electric cable, Sellotape, and stiff card (17). Sewing different patterns of cloth together to form long cloth strips to cover wire (18) or carefully cutting wooden blocks to show how the N-base pairs connect (19,20) produce eloquent 3D double-helix DNA models.…”

Section: Dna Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 3D Model of Double-Helical DNA Showing Variable Chemical Details

Cady¹

2005

J. Chem. Educ.

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Since the first DNA model was created ≈50 years ago using molecular models, students and teachers have been building simplified DNA models from various practical materials. A 3D double-helical DNA model, made by placing beads on a wire and stringing beads through holes in plastic canvas, is described. Suggestions are given to enhance the basic helical frame to show the shapes and sizes of the nitrogenous base rings, 3′ and 5′ chain termini, and base pair hydrogen bonding. Students can incorporate random or real gene sequence data into their models. One example of a gene sequence, for the protein oxytocin, is given. Left-handed Z-DNA, as well as right-handed A-DNA and B-DNA models can be constructed. Aimed for use in high school science classes, it takes 2–3 hours to complete DNA models with 30 labeled base pairs. Photos of oxytocin models are included. The size of this sturdy model is appropriate for visually-impaired students to feel the helical shape and read the genetic code in Braille. This model is inexpensive so each student can make his or her own model. Model building reinforces the student’s understanding of how the components of DNA—the sugar, phosphate, and N-base rings—are positioned three dimensionally to form a double helix.

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Section: Dna Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 3D Model of Double-Helical DNA Showing Variable Chemical Details

Cady¹

2005

J. Chem. Educ.

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Effect of bead and illustrations models on high school students' achievement in molecular genetics

Rotbain

Marbach‐Ad

Stavy

2006

J. Res. Sci. Teach.

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Our main goal in this study was to explore whether the use of models in molecular genetics instruction in high school can contribute to students' understanding of concepts and processes in genetics. Three comparable groups of 11th and 12th graders participated: The control group (116 students) was taught in the traditional lecture format, while the others received instructions which integrated a bead model (71 students), or an illustration model (71 students). Similar instructions and the same guiding questions accompanied the two models. We used three instruments: a multiple‐choice and an open‐ended written questionnaire, as well as personal interviews. Five of the multiple‐choice questions were also given to students before receiving their genetics instruction (pretest). We found that students who used one of the two types of models improved their knowledge in molecular genetics compared to the control group. However, the open‐ended questions revealed that bead model activity was significantly more effective than illustration activity. On the basis of these findings we conclude that, though it is advisable to use a three‐dimensional model, such as the bead model, engaging students in activities with illustrations can still improve their achievement in comparison to traditional instruction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 500–529, 2006

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Investigations of Modellers and Model Viewers in an Out-of-School Gene Technology Laboratory

Mierdel

Bogner

2019

Res Sci Educ

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A Hands-on Approach to Teaching about DNA Structure and Function

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

A 3D Model of Double-Helical DNA Showing Variable Chemical Details

A 3D Model of Double-Helical DNA Showing Variable Chemical Details

Effect of bead and illustrations models on high school students' achievement in molecular genetics

Investigations of Modellers and Model Viewers in an Out-of-School Gene Technology Laboratory

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