How are chromosomes, DNA, and genes related to one another?

  • Genes are segments of DNA on a chromosome. Each gene is made up of a sequence of four different chemical bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine)
  • Each cell contains two copies of each chromosome, chromosomes are made of DNA and proteins called histones, one copy inherited from your mother through the egg and one from your father through the sperm. Each cell has a total of 46 chromosomes, split into 23 pairs
  • Every cell in your body contains DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA, the genetic code for your body, exists as two long, paired strands spiraled into a double helix called a chromosome. DNA is like a blueprint that tells your body how to grow and develop.

Explain what these piece represent: Licorice, marshmallows

  • Licorice: sugar/phosphate backbones
  • Marshmallows: 4 nitrogen bases: Green= Guanine (G), Pink= Cytosine (C), Yellow= Adenine (A), Orange= Thymine (T)

How did this activity help you understand the structure of DNA?

It helped me understand how there are two distinct backbones that have bonds between them and the bases, and that only certain bases can go together (unless there a mutation).  It gave me a visual representation on the molecule which helped me picture what it would really look like all together.