DNA Structure
What are the building blocks of DNA called?
nucleotides
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid.
What makes your eyes brown or blue?
genes! Genes carry instructions that tell your body how to make proteins, including ones that affect melanin, the pigment that gives your eyes color.
What tool helps us see tiny things like cells?
A microscope! It magnifies tiny objects
In what superhero movie does DNA give a character special powers?
In Spider-Man, Peter Parker’s DNA changes after being bitten by a radioactive spider, giving him amazing powers
What shape is the DNA molecule often described as?
double helix
Where is DNA found in a cell?
in the nucleus of a cell.
True or False—You get all your DNA from one parent
False! You get half of your DNA from your mom and half from your dad
What do scientists who study DNA do?
They’re called geneticists
What video game character is known for having been “genetically modified”?
Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series—he’s part of a special clone project, making him a genetically enhanced super soldier
Name the four nitrogenous bases in DNA.
adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
What shape does DNA have?
DNA has a double helix shape.
This means it looks like a twisted ladder
Can siblings have different DNA?
Yes, they can—unless they're identical twins Siblings share about 50% of their DNA
Who helped discover the shape of DNA?
James Watson and Francis Crick are famous for discovering the double helix
Which dinosaur movie used DNA to bring ancient creatures back to life?
Jurassic Park! Scientists use dino DNA extracted from fossilized mosquitoes to recreate dinosaurs
Which two bases pair together?
adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G).
What are the “steps” of the DNA ladder made of?
pairs of nitrogen bases. These bases pair up in a specific way:
Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)
What is a gene?
A gene is a small section of DNA that gives instructions for making something in your body—like eye color, height, or even how your body breaks down food.
What is a lab?
Short for laboratory,
True or False: Some sci-fi shows use DNA to tell if someone’s an alien
True! Shows like Star Trek and The X-Files often use DNA tests to reveal alien ancestry or hidden identities.
What holds the base pairs together in the DNA double helix?
The base pairs in the DNA double helix are held together by hydrogen bonds.
What makes your DNA different from someone else’s?
all humans share about 99.9% of the same DNA, the 0.1% difference is what makes each person unique
What is a trait?
A trait is something you can see or measure about a person
What’s something you can test with DNA?
You can test who someone’s relatives are, what traits they have
What animated show has a DNA mascot named “Helix” who explains genes?
That’s from the show "Gene Machine"—Helix is a DNA-shaped character who teaches kids about genes, traits, and how biology works in a fun way.