Structure of the Double Helix
Double helix is the description of the structure of a DNA molecule. A DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around each other like a twisted ladder. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating groups of sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups. Attached to each sugar is one of four bases: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T). The two strands are held together by bonds between the bases, adenine forming a base pair with thymine, and cytosine forming a base pair with guanine.
Materials for Structure of the Double Helix
Animation
DNA Structure
Description: An animation and quiz on the structure of DNA
- Source: The McGraw-Hill Companies
- |
- URL: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383198/student_view0/chapter2/animation_quiz_-_dna_structure.html
Articles/Research
Profiles in Science: The Francis Crick Papers
Description: Information on the discovery of the double helix
- Source: US National Library of Medicine
- |
- URL: http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/SC/Views/Exhibit/visuals/doublehelix.html
Games
DNA - The Double Helix
Description: A game on DNA base paring
- Source: Nobel Media
- |
- URL: http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/dna_double_helix/dnahelix.html
Interactive Tutorials
Build a DNA Molecule
Description: Interactive tutorial on the complementary base paring of DNA nucleotides
- Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah
- |
- URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/builddna/
Lesson Guides/Lesson Plans
Teacher Guide - Have Your DNA and Eat It Too (PDF 266.17 KB)
Description: Lesson plan on the structure of DNA and a class activity building an edible double helix
- Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah
- |
- URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/dna/Have%20Your%20DNA%20and%20Eat%20It%20Too.pdf
Teacher Resources
Origami DNA
Description: A classroom activity on the DNA double helix
- Source: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
- |
- URL: http://www.yourgenome.org/teachers/origami.shtml
Video
Discovering the Double Helix
Description: A history and video interviews with scientist about the discovery of the double helix
- Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- |
- URL: http://library.cshl.edu/oralhistory/topic/james-d-watson/discovering-double-helix/
