What is DNA & What is it’s Function?

DNA is a molecule that is stored inside the nucleus in your cells. Inside the nucleus, there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) and inside each chromosome, lives your genes and DNA. Your genes are what make you yourself. If you have red hair and green eyes, that is all thanks to your genes. If you were to look at a DNA strand, it would be a long spiralled ladder. A real human strand would stretch up to the length of 6 feet! DNA is a strand of molecules made up of nucleotides. There are four types of nucleotides, A,T,C,G (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine). DNA’s function is to code sequences into messages to make sure that all the organs in your body are running properly. DNA changes into RNA which is a copy of only half the original sequence. Then, the RNA is transformed into proteins which help our bodies function.

For this project, we created edible DNA models using licorice, mini marshmallows and toothpicks. We had to compose a strand of DNA that followed a simple DNA sequence using RNA (TAC GTA TGA AAC) and it’s opposing nucleotide (A-T C-G). The different coloured marshmallows were used for the different nucleotides ( A: Yellow T: Orange G: Green C: Pink).