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| DNA Dance©:
An Activity to Demonstrate DNA
Tom Zinnen, UW Biotechnology Center
and UW-Extension, 608/265-2420,
zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu |
| Objective: To demonstrate how DNA is structured,
copied, spliced and read. |
DNA Dance is demonstrated in the SERC Biotechnology
workshop tape from October 20, 1993 (session 1). To order the entire
series or any combination contact: Tape Dubbing Service, Wisconsin
Public Broadcasting, (608) 264-9701. Copyright ©1992. Tom Zinnen,
UW Biotechnology Center. Permission for non-commercial, Outreachal
use is hereby given. |
Students will understand that:
- DNA is composed of 4 nucleotides, or building blocks: A, T,
G and C
- These building blocks can be strung together (to carry a message).
- A single string can be paired with another string (its "mate"
or "complement"), to make double-stranded DNA (given A matches
with T and G matches with C).
- The order of nucleotides in one strand will determine the order
of its mate.
- The two mate strands face in opposite directions.
- The order of the building blocks can be used to make three-letter
words that can code a message;
- DNA can be copied by "unzipping" the original double strand
and filling in the two separated strings or strands with spare
building blocks.
- A new piece of DNA can be spliced into another piece of DNA
to give new messages.
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| What to do: |
| 1. Divide students into 4 groups: A, T, G, C. |
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| 2. Assign the rule that A's go to T's and vice versa;
and G's go to C's and vice versa. (Matching rules or bonding rules
or Chargaff's rules). |
| 3. Assign the position so each person's left arm is extended
to the front, and right arm is extended to the side (in a top view,
the arms form an L: the "L" position). |
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| 4. Assign configurations for the RIGHT hand: THIS IS A
KEY STEP |
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C's curve their hands partly open. |
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T's make a hook by extending a curved index finger; |
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G's make a fist; |
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A's make an "OK" sign by touching their index finger
to their thumb; |
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Note that these are designed so A's and T's can match
or interlock, and so can G's and C's. Other combinations are more
awkward. |
5. Mix the students so that all four types are mingled.
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| 6. Randomly pull out 1/3 of the group, and line them
up, left hand of one on the left shoulder of the next person ahead,
right arm extended to the side, right hand in the appropriate configuration. |
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| 7. Now let the other 2/3 of the group assume the L position
and the right hand configuration. Form a second line by joining the
right hands of students in the second line with the right hands of
the students in the first (template) line. |
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| Note that this second line will face in the direction
opposite of the original. Also, note that its sequence will be complementary
to the first. |
| You can copy DNA by splitting the two-stranded line,
and filling in at the "fork" where the split is initiated. Cutting
and splicing and most other DNA manipulations that depend on sequence
and antiparallelism (but not on helical aspects) can be demonstrated
using this dance analog. |
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