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    DNA

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    DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a long, spiraling molecule that carries the genetic codes that enable cells to reproduce. Although DNA was first isolated by Friedrich Miescher in 1869, it’s double helix structure wasn’t discovered until 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. For their groundbreaking work, Watson and Crick shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine with Maurice Wilkins.

    		DNA Resource Handout for Classroom or Homeschool: Just $2.00

    Chem4Kids: DNA4 stars

    DNA "is special, because it holds the code for every cell in your body. That's right. Every cell in your body uses DNA as an instruction manual. If you want to take away the importance of that statement, you can say that DNA is just a long spiral chain of nucleotides. But it's more. So much more." Continue your biochemistry lesson by following the Next Stop button at the bottom of the article.



    DNA from the Beginning5 stars

    DNA from the Beginning is "an animated primer of 75 experiments that made modern genetics," published by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and education institution. Each primer includes a description, an animated slideshow, a related video and links to related sites. The first one explores Gregor Mandel's groundbreaking work in how various human traits are passed from generation to generation.

    Learn.Genetics: DNA Basics5 stars

    Learn.Genetics is a genetics education outreach program from the University of Utah. In addition to their jargon-free resources for students, they have printable classroom guides for teachers. Don't miss the interactive Build a DNA Molecule activity, the DNA Extraction Virtual Lab, and my personal favorite: How to Extract DNA From Anything Living. Using a blender, detergent, meat tenderizer, alcohol and a source of DNA such as peas or chicken livers, you can isolate long, stringy DNA molecules in a test tube. Look for step-by-step instructions in the Virtual Labs section.

    Medline Plus: What is DNA?5 stars

    "The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases, and more than 99 percent of those bases are the same in all people." Produced by the National Institutes of Health, "What is DNA?" is a consumer guide to understanding DNA, genes and chromosomes. It includes links to additional resources both within Medline Plus, and at external sites.

    ThoughtCo: 10 Interesting DNA Facts5 stars

    "DNA is a fragile molecule. About a thousand times a day, something happens to it to cause errors. This could include errors during transcription, damage from ultraviolet light, or any of a host of other activities. There are many repair mechanisms, but some damage isn't repaired. This means you carry mutations!" Learn ten interesting things about your DNA, and then explore the related articles and videos listed at the bottom of the page.

    		DNA Resource Handout for Classroom or Homeschool: Just $2.00



    Honorable Mentions

    The following links are either new discoveries or sites that didn't make it into my newspaper column because of space constraints. Enjoy!

    Ducksters: DNA and Genes

    Easy Science for Kids: DNA: Your Body’s Blueprints

    Tiny Beans: Make Mine a Double (Helix): DNA Fun with Kids

    Your Genome: What is DNA?


    Cite This Page

    Feldman, Barbara. "DNA." Surfnetkids. Feldman Publishing. 21 Feb. 2023. Web. 7 Nov. 2024. <https://www.surfnetkids.com/resources/dna/ >.


    About This Page

    By . Originally published February 21, 2023. Last modified February 21, 2023.

    Filed Under: More Science, Science

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