1.How are chromosomes, DNA, and genes related to each other? A chromosome (licorice) is a thread-like strand that is composed of protein and deoxyribonucleic acid. DeoxyriboNucleic Acid, or DNA, is found in every chromosome. DNA It is the genetic code that makes up the human body. Putting it all together would look something like this: “To understand how these pieces fit together, it helps to think of each part’s function. The gene is the idea or the blueprint. DNA is the language or the way genes are written down. Chromosomes are structures that cells use to organize their DNA for cell division. Chromosomes typically contain thousands of genes, written in DNA. Since there are exceptions to just about every rule in biology, there are a few situations where genes are written in something other than DNA, like the RNA of viruses and the proteins of prions, but none of these are universally regarded as alive.” – www.sciencing.com
In extremely simplified terms, it would look like this: Chromosomes are the structures that contain genes written in DNA.
2. What do the liquorice and each colour of marshmallow represent? Each strand of licorice represents the sugar/phosphate “backbone,” or DNA. when twisted into a coiled shape, it is referenced to as a “double helix.” The green marshmallow represents guanine, the pink marshmallow represents cytosine, the yellow marshmallow represents adenine, and the orange marshmallow represents thymine. A always binds with T, and G with C. any mismatch between the chemicals results in a genetic mutation.
3. How did this activity help you understand the structure of DNA? I oddly enjoyed this activity because of the personal connection I was able to make with it. Combining that along with my previous knowledge, made for an easily comprehensible lab. I was able to get more insight into how a genetic mutation can form, along with how a disease like Down Syndrome forms.
