Curated OER
DNA Model and Protein Synthesis
Students build a 3-dimensional model of DNA coding for the hormone oxytocin.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Science of Atoms and Molecules: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Through this activity, students work with macromolecules, proteins and nucleic acids. The focus is on the atomic structure of proteins, how linear polymers are made, and the surface charges of the resulting polymers. . Multiple-choice...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Twisting Tale of Dna
Video describing the structure and function of the DNA molecule. [4:27] Includes a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Extracting Onion Dna
In this project, you'll learn how to isolate DNA from onion cells, separating it from other cellular components in a manner that still preserves its structure and sequence. In the end, you'll have enough DNA to see with the unaided eye,...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Use Dna Sequencing to Trace the Blue Whale's Evolutionary Tree
Around 50 million years ago, the mammalian ancestor of today's whales returned to the ocean. In this genomics science fair project, you will use mitochondrial protein sequencing to trace the evolution of whales and identify their closest...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Optical Tweezers and Applications
Did you ever imagine that you can use light to move a microscopic plastic bead? Explore the forces on the bead or slow time to see the interaction with the laser's electric field. Use the optical tweezers to manipulate a single strand of...
Other
National Center for Biotechnology Education: Dna50: Cut Out Model
Students construct DNA base pairs using a template. The base pairs can be used to assemble a large-scale DNA strand for the whole class.
Genome British Columbia
Genome British Columbia: Sequencing
The structure of DNA is explained in detail, and the technology of DNA sequencing.
University of California
University of California Museum of Paleontology: Understanding Science: Dna
Find out how the human side of science played a role in the significant discovery of the molecule of life, DNA.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Biology: Dna Ii: The Structure of Dna
Instructional module focusing on the physical structure of DNA. Discussion incorporates the description of the nucleotides, base pairs, and the double helix shape of a DNA molecule. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: The Dna Double Helix Advanced
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students can watch a video, read some informational text and key vocabulary terms, and answer review questions about the structure of DNA.
University of Southern California
University of Southern California: Dna Structure
A really nice web page devoted to the structure of DNA. Simple information but nice use of graphics to show the molecule. Uses the CHIME plug-in to show the 3-D nature of the helix.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dna From the Beginning: Dna Is Shaped Like a Twisted Ladder
A nice tutorial on DNA structure. The menu at the bottom allows you to view some different information.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Hhmi: Bio Interactive: Understanding Sequence Assembly
A series of lecture clips helps explain how DNA sequencing is done by using the analogy of shredding multiple copies of a book and then reassembling the text by finding overlapping fragments. The ultimate goal of DNA sequencing is to...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Crick, Watson, and Franklin
This article describes the race to unlock the mystery of life by determining the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. The discovery of DNA and its structure is an example of collective learning.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Dna Structure and Function: Decoding Watson
Discover how the structure of DNA relates to its hereditary function in these videos from the American Masters film Decoding Watson. The first video, "DNA Structure and Function," [2:07] can be used with all middle and high school...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dna Interactive: Genome
This site is provided for by DNA Interactive. The genome is the entire endowment of genetic information. It is the "Book of life," on an organism. This site demonstrates the methods used to map and sequence the human genome and to...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dolan Dna Learning Center: Dna Molecule: How Dna Is Packaged Advanced
An animated tutorial showing how each chromosome consists of one continuous thread-like molecule of DNA coiled tightly around proteins. [1:42]
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dolan Dna Learning Center: Dna Molecule: Dna Has Four Units
A brief description of the four chemical building blocks of the DNA molecule. [0:25]
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dolan Dna Learning Center: Dna Molecule: Triple Helix
A description of how the triple-helix DNA model was a precursor to the accepted double-helix model of our DNA. [0:27]
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dolan Dna Learning Center: Dna Molecule: Chargaff's Ratios
Learn about base pairing in DNA, and how the ratios of adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine are equal. [0:47]
University of Arizona
University of Arizona: Introduction to Dna Structure
A tutorial on the structure of DNA. Meant as a companion to a biology course, a grasp of basic DNA terminology is essential for the reader.
University of Arizona
University of Arizona/dna Structure Activity
Activity based on the use of computer enhanced molecular images, might be worth the effort for an AP class to try.
