Also, this must maintain a double helix shape on its own.

Here's a photo.

Well, it also needs nitrogen bases and phosphate and sugar.

Well, it also needs nitrogen bases and phosphate and sugar.

Anything else? How long do you have? What country, what school year? Any other requirements or restrictions?

just use candy canes, lifesavers, skittles, hard candy, whatever. Youre still probably going to have to use glue but Elmers is nontoxic, not necessarily neutral tasting. as far as helix goes, maybe use gummy worms.

Edited February 6, 201213 yr by Realitycheck

Ok, I know how to make the ladder, but how do I keep it in a twisted ladder shape?

Ok, I know how to make the ladder, but how do I keep it in a twisted ladder shape?

In the picture I linked to, the ladder part is connected by toothpicks. If you build it first, then twist it, the toothpicks will help it keep its shape. If you use hard candies, you can still glue them to a piece of toothpick to stick into the licorice ladder. I think the toothpicks allow the strands to twist with the ladder and hold its shape.

For extra credits you might want to show DNA on two different scales - [imath]\phi 's[/imath] is great for the double helix, but you could also use a single bit of liqourice lace to show super-coiling - have a look here

 

I might also be tempted to show dna during replication - it would be more difficult, but by no means impossible and would show a bit more understanding of what it does. I think a simplified version of this is doable and it would make a superb project http://en.wikipedia....lication_en.svg

Edited February 7, 201213 yr by imatfaal