How to Make a DNA Model with a Fishing Line and Pasta

Dying the DNA Components

• 1

  Assign a different color to each of the four components of DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T).

• 2

  Place eight pieces of penne pasta in a jar. Repeat for three more jars, for a total of four jars, each containing eight pieces of pasta.

• 3

  Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol to each jar. The rubbing alcohol should just cover the bottom of the jar. Add several drops of food coloring to each jar, one color to each jar.

• 4

  Replace the jars' lids and shake the jars vigorously. Set the jars in a safe location. Shake the jars every 15 to 30 minutes until the pasta takes on the desired color.

• 5

  Pour the pasta onto several layers of newspaper and allow it to dry overnight.

Creating the DNA Strand

• 6

  String nine pieces of ziti pasta and eight pieces of pinwheel pasta onto a 24-inch piece of fishing line, beginning with the ziti pasta and alternating between the ziti pasta and the pinwheel pasta. The ziti pasta represents the phosphate components, and the pinwheel pasta represents the sugar components. Tie the ends of the fishing line around the end pieces of ziti pasta to prevent the pasta from sliding off the line. Repeat for the second 24-inch piece of fishing line.

• 7

  String two pieces of dyed penne pasta, when dry, onto each of the eight 4-inch pieces of fishing line. Each piece of fishing line should contain either one A and one T or one C and one G, as A and T always pair together, and C and G always pair together. Possible patterns are AT, TA, CG and GC. You will have leftover penne pasta; discard, or store it in an airtight container for future projects.

• 8

  Tie the end of one of the 4-inch pieces of fishing line to the first 24-inch piece of fishing line, just below the second ziti pasta. Attach the other end of the 4-inch piece of fishing line to the second 24-inch piece of fishing line, just below the second ziti pasta.

• 9

  Repeat Step 3 for each of the 4-inch pieces of fishing line, tying the ends to the 24-inch strands below each zita pasta and creating an eight-rung ladder. The order of the rungs does not matter, but each rung must contain either one A and one T or one C and one G.

• 10

  Trim away any excess fishing line.