This set of slides was designed for remote learning during the 2020 pandemic. In regular circumstances, students would practice labeling DNA on paper and we would go over the images together. I have also used neon markers where students draw their own double helix on their desks and label the structures. I even have a set of DNA models for students to put together and practice modeling replication.
Freshman students would do a DNA coloring activity which described the difference between DNA and RNA, or construct paper models of DNA.
This drag and drop activity attempts to recreate some of these interactive learning experiences by having students label DNA models by dragging boxes to the correct spot on Google Slides. The first slide shows the basic structure of DNA where students label the nucleotides, deoxyribose, purines, phosphates, deoxyribose, and hydrogen bonds.
Other slides go into detail about how replication occurs on the leading and lagging strand. Students label the enzymes involved in process (ligase, polymerase, helicase, primase) and identify the 3′ and 5′ ends of the molecule.
Finally students answer basic questions about DNA and the process of replication by typing answers into the slides and reordering boxes to show the sequence of events that occur during replication.
This activity was designed for AP Biology students as a practice activity after going over DNA structure and replication. It could probably be modified for beginning students.
Chris Chilton
How do you activate it to be a drag and drop activity?
Admin
You will need to make a copy in your own google drive so that you have “edit” rights. When sharing with students on Google classroom, you need to give them each their own copy so they can edit it and drag the labels.
Karin Paul
This looks great but is the link working?
Admin
Oops, forgot to put the link on the button. Here’s a direct link to the Google SLides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O941qaUbZgACHMrpXzo_Fiy-kdbQpB0J65BHYmWA2dY/edit?usp=sharing
Ariana Desh
What are the answers to the Hydrogen Bonds, Pyrimidine, Nucleotide, Deoxyribose, Purine, and Phosphate slide? It is the black and white DNA model with the light green labels. I need to make sure I am grading my students’ work correctly. Thank you!
Admin
I don’t provide answers on my site because I want my students to invest a little bit of thought into figuring things out and not just googling for the answers. I do have keys available on TpT which will provide answers to all the slides in this activity.
Missi Brewer
Thank you so much for your resources!