Modeling of DNA replication using pipe cleaners as teaching aids

モールを用いたDNA複製モデル

Modeling of DNA replication using pipe cleaners as teaching aids

Creators Kitazawa Chisato

Creators Yamanaka Akira

DNA replication during cell division is an essential process in all living organisms and s a key concept in molecular genetics. In teaching the invisible biological phenomena occurring in the cell such as DNA replication,teachers often use illustrations or audiovisual aids depicting these processes.This article describes the use of pipe cleaners to show the mechanisms associated with DNA replication. DNA strands are synthesized by DNA polymerase from the 5'-to 3'-end either continuously on the leading strand or intermittently on the lagging strand. This can easilv and cheaply be demonstrated by students using a process of twisting and separating the pipe cleaners. Teachers are able to determine the level of a student's understanding of the mechanism of DNA replication by examining the pipe cleaner models returned after the lecture. In an effort to facilitate the learning of macromolecular events such as DNA replication, active learning using visual models by trial and error or repetition should prove effective in furthering an understanding of these phenomena concerning molecular genetics.

[ISSN]0286-0597

[NCID]AN00240238