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How to Make a DNA Model Out of Candy

DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid. It contains the genetic instructions used in the functioning and development of all living orgainisms and some viruse.Bored with your project on DNA? Just realized that it's due tomorrow? Well keep reading, even if you don't have to create an accurate model of DNA! It's really fun, and there's always leftover candy.

Materials:

For Model:
Gummy Bears (at least four colors)
Toothpicks
String
Red Licorice (cut into 1 inch pieces)
Black Licorice (cut into 1 inch pieces)
Small Marshmallows
Masking Tape

For Key:
Paper/Poster Board
Markers, pens, etc.
Glue or Tape

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Step 1Make a Key

First, you will need to know what is what on your DNA model. Write "Key" on the top of your poster board/paper. Then, glue or tape on a piece of black licorice. Label it "phosphate groups". Attatch a piece of red licorice and label it "sugar deoxyribose". These two make up the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA. Take one gummy bear and attatch it to the paper. Label it "adenine". Then, take a different color bear, attatch it, and label it "thymine". Attatch another color and label it guanine, and then attatch another color labeled "cytosine". These are DNA's four bases. Attatch a marshmallow and label it "hydrogen bonds that connect the bases". If you want some extra credit, try adding these facts:

The order of the bases determines the type of organism and its functionality.

DNA's shape is a right-handed double helix.

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8 comments

Mar 27, 2010. 1:04 AMnonnyxbloOdiE says:

THNX FOR THE INFO. BUT PEALSE CAN U PUT A PICTURE OF IT WHILE IT IS TWISTED BECAUSE I AM REALLY CURIOUS TO SEE IT

Mar 27, 2010. 8:40 PMcupcake811 (author) says:

I made this a LONG time ago, so I don't have one. It won't stay twisted...sorry. It looks pretty much like you would think it look. If you want, you can look up a picture of a double helix.

Mar 27, 2010. 1:02 AMnonnyxbloOdiE says:

CAN U SHOW US THE CANDY DNA MODEL WHILE IT IS TWISTED PLEASE

Nov 21, 2009. 9:18 PMLkArio says:

You could use a chopstick to make it a double helix

Nov 22, 2009. 7:55 AMcupcake811 (author) says:

The "bases" and "hydrogen bonds" are on toothpicks connected to alternating colors of licorice that are the "sugar deoxyribose" and "phosphate groups". Then, you twist it so that it forms a double-helix.