Article
Story Behind the Science

Story Behind the Science: Piecing Together the Structure of Dna [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines the history of the scientific efforts that went into the discovery and mapping of the structure of DNA, spanning one hundred forty years.
eBook
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Discovery of the Structure of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the structure of DNA double helix and how it was discovered. Learn about the work of Chargaff, Watson and Crick, Wilkins, and Franklin.
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Biology: Dna Ii: The Structure of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Instructional module focusing on the physical structure of DNA. Discussion incorporates the description of the nucleotides, base pairs, and the double helix shape of a DNA molecule. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Biology: Macromolecules: Nucleic Acids: Molecular Structure of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the molecular structure of DNA in this article. Learn about the components of DNA: nucleotide, nitrogenous base, and phosphate.
Handout
University of Southern California

University of Southern California: Dna Structure

For Students 9th - 10th
A really nice web page devoted to the structure of DNA. Simple information but nice use of graphics to show the molecule. Uses the CHIME plug-in to show the 3-D nature of the helix.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Twisting Tale of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Video describing the structure and function of the DNA molecule. [4:27] Includes a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Dna Structure and Function: Decoding Watson

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover how the structure of DNA relates to its hereditary function in these videos from the American Masters film Decoding Watson. The first video, "DNA Structure and Function," [2:07] can be used with all middle and high school...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: The Dna Double Helix Advanced

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students can watch a video, read some informational text and key vocabulary terms, and answer review questions about the structure of DNA.
Handout
BiologyWise

Biology Wise: 7 Major Steps of Dna Replication

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the structure of DNA and the seven steps that take place during DNA replication. Includes a labeled illustration for each step.
Handout
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Linus Pauling and the Race for Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
A great resource for the history of the discovery of DNA! This website includes over 300 documents, photographs, audio clips, and video excerpts that documents how the double helix structure was discovered.
PPT
Sumanas

Sumanas Inc: The Structure of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a basic animation of how DNA is structured.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Watson and Crick Describe the Structure of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
From a PBS databank of twentieth-century scientists and their stories comes this brief description of the discovery by Watson and Crick of the double-helix structure of DNA. The work of other scientists on whom Watson and Crick relied...
Handout
University of Arizona

University of Arizona: Introduction to Dna Structure

For Students 9th - 10th
A tutorial on the structure of DNA. Meant as a companion to a biology course, a grasp of basic DNA terminology is essential for the reader.
Handout
Other

Acadia University: Structure of Dna and Rna

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Acadia University provides the basic structure of DNA and RNA and a decent compare/contrast between the two.
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: James D. Watson, ph.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of James Dewey Watson who, along with Francis Crick, discovered the structure of DNA. They were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 1962. Watson was later the first person to lead the Human Genome Project....
Handout
PBS

Nova: Picturing the Molecules of Life

For Students 9th - 10th
Retrace the development of our knowledge of nucleic acids by viewing pictures of nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA) taken in 1952, 1973, 1979, 1980, 1984 and 2001.
Handout
University of California

Ucmp: Computer Model of Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
A slight departure from the classic view of DNA showing that the molecule is not exactly a twisted ladder. Good image and explanation to go with it.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Dna: The Book of You

For Students 9th - 10th
This video explains how DNA works and what it does, relating it to an instruction manual for building an organism. [4:29] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Activity
National Health Museum

Access Excellence: Structure of the Dna Molecule

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a history of the discovery and study of DNA and its structure. Links to a graphic, other references, and classroom activities.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: James Watson on How He Discovered Dna

For Students 9th - 10th
Nobel laureate, James Watson, discusses the story of how he and his research partner, Francis Crick, discovered the structure of DNA and identified the genetic components for many diseases. [20:15]
Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Optical Tweezers and Applications

For Students 9th - 10th
Did you ever imagine that you can use light to move a microscopic plastic bead? Explore the forces on the bead or slow time to see the interaction with the laser's electric field. Use the optical tweezers to manipulate a single strand of...
Article
Genome British Columbia

Genome British Columbia: Sequencing

For Students 9th - 10th
The structure of DNA is explained in detail, and the technology of DNA sequencing.
Handout
Nobel Media AB

The Nobel Prize: James Watson Biographical

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about James Dewey Watson, the co-recipient of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work with Franice Crick on decoding the structure of DNA. This article includes information on both Watson's personal life and public career.
Activity
National Health Museum

Access Excellence: A Visit With Dr. Francis Crick

For Students 9th - 10th
A transcript of a personal interview with Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA.