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How to Construct a DNA Ladder Worksheet

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is composed of four nucleotides -- adenosine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T) -- that pair in a specific manner: A with T and G with C. The DNA molecule looks like a twisted ladder, with the nucleotide base pairs composing the rungs. While the nucleotide pairs may be the most basic building block in the study of genetics, it is one of the most important. By creating a DNA ladder worksheet, not only do you reinforce the shape of the DNA molecule, but also the language of DNA.

Things You'll Need

  • 8 ½-by-11-inch piece of paper
  • Ruler
  • Felt pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Leave 3 inches at the top of your page to write your directions later.

    • 2

      Use a pencil to draw a 5 1/2-inch long vertical line 2 inches in from the side of the paper.

    • 3

      Draw another 5 1/2-inch-long vertical line 4 inches to the right of the first line.

    • 4

      Lay a ruler next to the left line and make a small, light horizontal line every half inch along the line until you have 10 marks.

    • 5

      Repeat for the right line.

    • 6

      Draw a 1/2-inch horizontal line on the right side of the left line at each of the marks made in step 4.

    • 7

      Draw a 1/2-inch horizontal line on the left side of the right line at each of the marks made in Step 5.

    • 8

      Draw a horizontal line across the page just below the ladder.

    • 9

      Draw 20 1-inch-by-1-inch boxes.

    • 10

      Fill five boxes with the letter A, five boxes with the letter G, five boxes with the letter C and five boxes with the letter T.

    • 11

      Retrace all of the pencil lines with a black felt pen to make them dark enough for photocopying.

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