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Building DNA Answer Key

Vocabulary: double helix, DNA, DNA helicase, DNA polymerase, enzyme, mutation,
nitrogenous base, nucleotide, replication

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

[Note: The purpose of these questions is to activate prior knowledge and get students thinking.
Students are not expected to know the answers to the Prior Knowledge Questions.]

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 can 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?

Answers will vary, but may include a twisted ladder or a double spiral.

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.)

Answers will vary. [The hint refers the fact that the nitrogenous bases
at the bottom of the molecule are splitting apart, which will eventually
divide the molecule into two strands. Each strand will be used as a
template for the formation of a new strand.]

Gizmo Warm-up
The Building DNA Gizmo allows you to construct a DNA
molecule and go through the process of DNA replication.

1. Look on the right side of the Gizmo. What components

make up a DNA molecule? Nucleotides

A nucleotide consists of three parts: a phosphate

group (blue circle), a sugar called deoxyribose (tan
pentagon), and a nitrogenous base (shown in color).

2. How many different nitrogenous bases do you see? Four

The names of these nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and
thymine (T).

2018
Please Do Not Share riko.rawis / noriko.rawis@integrated.ipeka.sch.id

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, Sequences will vary. There
this DNA molecule is shown in two dimensions, should be two of each
without the twist.) nitrogenous base on each side,
and the bases should be joined to
Stop when the hint reads: “The DNA molecule is the proper counterpart. Adenine
complete.” In the spaces at right, list the sequence (A) should always be joined to
of nitrogenous bases on the left-hand side of the thymine (T), and cytosine (C)
DNA molecule and the right-hand side. should always be joined to
guanine (G).

2. Take a picture: Click the camera ( ) to take a

snapshot of your DNA molecule. Right-click the
image and select Copy Image. Paste the image
into a blank document, and label this image
“Original DNA molecule.”

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

A. What makes up the sides of the DNA molecule? Phosphates and deoxyribose sugar

B. What makes up the “rungs” of the DNA molecule? Pairs of nitrogenous bases

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

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

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

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.

With unlimited bases, there are 48, or 65,536 possible

sequences. With the 8 bases available in the Gizmo, there are
2,520 possible sequences. (8! ÷ 24 = 2,520)

2018
Please Do Not Share riko.rawis / noriko.rawis@integrated.ipeka.sch.id

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. Drag the blue DNA
helicase enzyme onto the DNA strand. What does this enzyme do to the DNA molecule?

DNA helicase splits the DNA molecule into two single strands.

2. Observe: Drag the yellow DNA polymerase molecule onto the DNA strand. DNA
polymerase adds complementary nucleotides to create new double-stranded DNA
molecules. Notice two groups of nucleotides on the right.

A. Drag the correct nucleotide to the bottom of the left strand, where the DNA

polymerase is located. What happens? The nucleotide attaches to the DNA strand.

B. Continue adding nucleotides to both strands. What happens to the DNA polymerase

molecule each time you add a nucleotide? It moves to the next nucleotide.

C. Complete the two DNA molecules. How do these molecules compare to each other?

The two new DNA molecules are identical.

3. Compare: Click the camera to take a snapshot of the DNA molecules, then paste the image
into your document. Label this image “Daughter DNA molecules.”

How do these molecules compare to the original? They are the same.

Congratulations! You have completed the process of replication, where one “parent” DNA
strand divides to form two identical “daughter” DNA strands.

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

Answers will vary. [Every cell has a complete copy of the organisms DNA. This is only
possible if the DNA molecule replicates before cell division. To reproduce, organisms must
pass on a complete set of DNA to offspring. This is only possible if DNA can be copied.]

5. Extend your thinking: Sometimes errors called mutations occur during DNA replication.
What are some of the possible consequences of mutations?

Answers will vary. [Mutations can be harmful, helpful, or neutral (have no effect). Mutations
can affect any trait of an organism that is controlled or influenced by genes]

2018