{"id":4512,"date":"2025-06-12T19:52:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T19:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?p=4512"},"modified":"2026-05-15T02:49:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T02:49:43","slug":"dna-structure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/dna-structure\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4512\" class=\"elementor elementor-4512\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef3dc91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef3dc91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-081d7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"081d7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7090152 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7090152\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee0c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44ee0c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder, with each rung made of paired chemicals called bases \u2014 that\u2019s the famous double helix.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.jove.com\/science-education\/v\/19643\/dna-structure\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DNA structure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">middle schoolers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be tricky \u2014 but when you connect abstract science with visuals and hands-on building, it starts to click. This article breaks down the parts of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/what-is-dna\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and how to model them in class using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE clips <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/standards\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NGSS-aligned <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">projects.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e308475 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e308475\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d91503 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d91503\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are the Parts of a DNA Molecule?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8aa59f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8aa59f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1dcc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e1dcc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s start with the basics. What are the parts of a DNA molecule?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA is made of three main components:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugar (deoxyribose)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phosphate groups<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nitrogen bases (A, T, C, G)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These come together to form the structure of a DNA strand. The sugar and phosphate form the backbone, and the bases form the rungs. It\u2019s a repeating structure called a nucleotide \u2014 like identical building blocks with unique instructions inside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udfa5 Use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/concept-video\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s animations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to show these components forming a full strand, clearly labeling each part for students.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cff0c4e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cff0c4e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9673be1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9673be1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Double Helix Model: What Makes It Special?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f94ac6e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f94ac6e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc6cc85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc6cc85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The double helix model \u2014 famously discovered by Watson and Crick \u2014 describes DNA\u2019s unique twisted ladder shape. Two long strands wind around each other, and the \u201crungs\u201d of the ladder are made of pairs of nitrogen bases that fit together in a very specific way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where explaining base pairing to middle school students becomes important:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cytosine (C) always pairs with Guanine (G)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These base pairs connect like puzzle pieces that only fit one way, helping DNA stay organized and easy for the cell to read and copy. This predictable pattern is what makes the genetic code so stable across generations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee70e7c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ee70e7c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e597c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e597c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Build a DNA Model for the Classroom\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3de4456 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3de4456\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94061c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94061c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hands-on learning deepens understanding, especially for a visual topic like DNA. Here\u2019s how to build a DNA model for the classroom using simple materials:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Materials:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pipe cleaners, colored beads or paper clips, cardboard, paper printouts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span> <b>Steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create the sugar-phosphate backbone with pipe cleaners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add colored beads as base pairs (A-T and C-G)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twist the structure to form a helix<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students love this activity, and it reinforces the structure of a DNA strand as they build it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for more? Try these DNA structure project ideas for grades 6\u20138:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edible DNA (using candy)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA origami (folding paper molecules)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online simulations with drag-and-drop base pairs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udfa5 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offers classroom videos that model these construction techniques alongside scientific context.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a8fb89 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a8fb89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28f2f9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"28f2f9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DNA Base Pairs: The Language of Life\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f9d1ab e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f9d1ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29d3b0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29d3b0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dna base pairs (adenine-thymine and cytosine-guanine) are like letters in a biological alphabet. Together, they form the instructions for building proteins and traits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does this matter? Because even a single base pair change can cause genetic disorders, or lead to helpful mutations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When explaining base pairing to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> middle school<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> students, connect it to code \u2014 like a password where one wrong letter changes everything.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8203760 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8203760\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4ce115 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4ce115\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why DNA Structure Matters in Science and Education\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d199c3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8d199c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17af355 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17af355\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.jove.com\/science-education\/v\/19643\/dna-structure\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA structure <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps students explore how traits are inherited, how mutations happen, and how modern medicine works. When they build models or watch the structure unfold in JoVE clips, they\u2019re not just memorizing vocabulary \u2014 they\u2019re discovering the logic behind genetic science.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage curiosity by exploring real scientific questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What happens if a base pair is deleted?<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u27a4 This is called a deletion mutation. It can change how a gene works by shifting the entire genetic \u201csentence,\u201d sometimes causing diseases or faulty proteins.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Why does the helix twist instead of laying flat?<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u27a4 The twisted shape \u2014 called a double helix \u2014 helps DNA fit tightly into the cell\u2019s nucleus and makes it more stable for storing genetic information.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Can we repair DNA when it\u2019s broken?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u27a4 Yes! Cells have DNA repair enzymes that constantly fix damage from things like UV light or chemicals. If repair doesn\u2019t happen, it can lead to mutations \u2014 and JoVE has clips showing how this process works.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By tackling these questions, students aren\u2019t just learning about<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/what-is-dna\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DNA <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 they\u2019re starting to think like scientists and understand why structure matters in everything from biology to biotechnology.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa5853a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fa5853a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1e9910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1e9910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion: Bring DNA to Life with Visual Learning\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66fe423 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"66fe423\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cfe3ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8cfe3ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DNA structure may seem abstract, but it\u2019s one of the most visually powerful lessons in biology. Using the double helix model, clear diagrams, JoVE\u2019s explainer videos, and engaging classroom projects, you can turn complex molecular ideas into concrete understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf93 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/share.hsforms.com\/1FyaUdqz3T3yuF-IuUZXDfwc2eur\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book a Free Demo <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to access JoVE\u2019s full library of DNA animations, modeling lessons, and NGSS-aligned project guides \u2014 perfect for grades 6\u20138.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bring JoVE to your classroom starting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as low as<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> $2 per student.*<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/20267955.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\/hubfs\/20267955\/K12%20Schools\/K12%20Funding%20Resources%20Flyer_2025.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">funding resources <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to learn how your school can start using JoVE\u2019s complete STEM video library today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Pricing based on 1,500 students.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder, with each rung made of paired [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4513,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngss-standards"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"JoVE for K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/dna-structure\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"headline\":\"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/dna-structure\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":797,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"NGSS Standards\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/dna-structure\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure\",\"name\":\"DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"description\":\"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/dna-structure#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"JoVE for K12\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\",\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Nikita\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","description":"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","og_description":"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure","og_site_name":"JoVE for K12","article_published_time":"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Nikita","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nikita","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/dna-structure\/"},"author":{"name":"Nikita","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"headline":"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure","datePublished":"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/dna-structure\/"},"wordCount":797,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png","articleSection":["NGSS Standards"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/dna-structure\/","url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure","name":"DNA Structure and Double Helix Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png","datePublished":"2025-06-12T19:52:05+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-15T02:49:43+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"description":"Teach DNA structure with JoVE K12 videos that help students visualize the double helix, base pairs, and how molecular shape supports heredity during labs.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Inside-the-Double-Helix-Understanding-DNA-Structure.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/dna-structure#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\u00a0Inside the Double Helix: Understanding DNA Structure"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/","name":"JoVE for K12","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3","name":"Nikita","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Nikita"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}