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How to Make a Candy DNA Model Using Gum Drops

Creating a candy model of DNA using gum drops gives students an opportunity to review what they have learned about the structure of DNA. DNA is composed of chains of phosphate and sugar molecules, and four bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine. Two chains of phosphate and sugar molecules are connected by pairs of the bases, like rungs on a ladder. The strand of DNA is shaped like a double helix, which looks like a twisted, spiral ladder.

Gum drops of four different colors
Two sticks of licorice
Toothpicks

Instructions

- 1
  Decide which of the four gum drop colors will symbolize each of the four DNA bases.
- 2
  Pair the gum drop colors based on actual DNA pairings. Cytosine pairs with guanine and adenine pairs with thymine.
- 3
  Stick the paired gum drops onto each end of a toothpick. Push in the gum drop until there is enough of a toothpick end on each side to stick into the licorice. Continue to stick the pairs of gumdrops on toothpicks until the desired number has been reached. A model will look best when 10 or more pairs of gumdrops are used.
- 4
  Stick one end of a toothpick with gum drops into one of the pieces of licorice and then the other end of the toothpick into a second piece of licorice. Continue inserting the toothpicks until the DNA ladder is complete.
- 5
  Slowly twist the candy DNA ladder into a double helix.

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