Sequence Bracelets

In this activity you can make a bracelet of DNA sequence from organisms including a human, chimpanzee, butterfly, carnivorous plant or flesh-eating bacteria.

This activity is an enjoyable way of exploring the basics of DNA sequences and complementary base pairing. You are given a DNA sequence for your chosen organism. You use this to make once strand of your bracelet and then create the other strand using the basic rules of base pairing. Wherever you have an A in one strand you put a T in the other, where there is a C you have a G opposite. When you have finished, you will have a bracelet made up of two complementary strands of DNA sequence.

DNA contains a chemical code that is made up of four bases: adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine (A, C, G and T for short). These bases always pair together in the same way, A with T, and C with G. This code guides the growth, development and health of organisms.

Age: 10 years + (KS2 +)