Short communication Development of a LED Electronic DNA Model

Authors

  • A. O. Oke Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
  • J. C. Ehiabhili Department of Physics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
  • O. K. Arowolo Department of Biology, Elizade University Ilara-Mokin.

Keywords:

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), light emitting diode (LED), microcontroller, adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, transistor

Abstract

There are different kinds of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) models which has been based on the use of paper, candy, beads, and Styrofoam balls. In this paper, a model has been developed using a water hose as the backbone and strands; light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were arranged in the backbone and strands to indicate reaction between adenine with thymine, and between guanine with cytosine. The lighting of the LEDs was controlled by sending pulses from the microcontroller and switched with transistors. The anode and cathode of the LEDs is powered with TIP42 and BD140 respectively taking a signal from the microcontroller. The heat emitted is below room temperature if left for 24 hours. The power consumption of the entire circuit is about 15W. This model is better used in teaching over other previous model as it uses LEDs to indicate the interactions of the nucleotides.

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Published

2021-06-10

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2021): COAST JOURNAL OF THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

Section

Articles