DNA Pipe Cleaner Model

Activity Summary
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) contains genetic information in humans and many other organisms. DNA is made up of phosphate, sugar and one of 4 bases. The bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). In this activity students use colored pipe-cleaners and beads in a hands-on activity to emphasize base pairing (A-T) and (G-C) as well as the double helix shape of DNA.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Explain the structure of DNA including base pairing and double helix

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plans

Key Words
base pairing, double helix, structure

Last updated: 3/3/2015