I have to build a DNA and RNA structure. It must stand on its own. What materials would you suggest i use?
Thank you.
http://biology.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_DNA_Model_Candy0962932481.htm
To build a DNA and RNA structure that can stand on its own, you can consider using materials such as pipe cleaners, toothpicks, and small foam balls or beads.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to build a DNA model using these materials:
1. Start by gathering the materials mentioned above: pipe cleaners, toothpicks, and small foam balls or beads. You will need two different colors of pipe cleaners to represent the four different nucleotides in DNA and RNA.
2. To represent the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA or RNA molecule, take a long pipe cleaner and fold it into a spiral shape to create a double helix structure.
3. Cut the second color of pipe cleaner into smaller pieces to represent the four different nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine for DNA or adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine for RNA). Each nucleotide will consist of a small foam ball or bead attached to the end of the pipe cleaner.
4. Insert the toothpicks into the foam balls or beads to serve as a connecting point for the nucleotides.
5. Attach the nucleotides to the backbone pipe cleaner, following the base-pairing rules. For DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine. For RNA, adenine pairs with uracil, and cytosine pairs with guanine.
6. Repeat the process until you have completed the desired length of the DNA or RNA structure.
By following these steps and using the suggested materials, you can create a DNA or RNA structure that can stand on its own.
For additional guidance, you can also refer to the link you provided (http://biology.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_DNA_Model_Candy0962932481.htm) which offers instructions on building a candy DNA model.