DNA Structure

Authors

  • Susan Richardson The POGIL Project

Abstract

This activity is written as a simple introduction to the various forms in which DNA appears in cells. Model 1 orients students to DNA in the nucleus as chromosomes and chromatin, and introduce the idea of structural and regulatory genes. Model 2 allows students to investigate the structure of DNA as sequences of nucleotides. Students discover the base-pairing rules and use them to calculate the percentages of nitrogenous bases given the percentage of a single base. Extension questions explore the discovery of the shape of DNA.

Level: High School
Setting: Classroom
Activity Type: Learning Cycle
Discipline: Biology
Course: Introductory Biology
Keywords: DNA structure, double helix, nucleotides, complementary base pairing rules, chromosome, chromatin, gene 

ToC Image: DNA on histones in chromosome in the nucleus of the cell

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Published

2026-07-17

How to Cite

Richardson, S. (2026). DNA Structure. POGIL Activity Clearinghouse, 7(1). Retrieved from https://pac.pogil.org/index.php/pac/article/view/556

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Activities for Review

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Susan Richardson

Copyright of this work and the permissions granted to users of the PAC are defined in the PAC Activity User License.