Questions and Answers
What was Pauling's model of DNA?
Watson and Crick were initially allowed to work on DNA.
False
What was the significance of Franklin's Photo 51?
It was a diffraction pattern of DNA that revealed a helix.
Watson's experimentation with pairing like with like revealed that the bases couldn't pair in that way, which led to the realization that the model didn't account for ______________________ rules.
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Match the scientists with their contributions:
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What was the significance of the double helix model?
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What was the occupation of Francis Crick before he joined forces with James Watson?
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James Watson and Francis Crick were the first to propose that genes were made of DNA.
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What was the technique used by Watson and Crick to solve the molecular structure of DNA?
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The idea of the gene dates back to _______________________'s experiments with peapods in the 1860s.
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Who was a scientist at King's College in London working on DNA structure, but had a strained relationship with his colleague Rosalind Franklin?
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Linus Pauling's triple helix model of DNA was later found to be correct.
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Match the following scientists with their contributions:
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Watson and Crick initially built a model of DNA, but it was incorrect due to ______________________ measurements.
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Study Notes
The Discovery of DNA Structure
- In the early 20th century, physicists and chemists unlocked the secrets of the atom, but life remained a profound mystery, particularly the process of inheritance.
- The puzzle was how traits were passed on from generation to generation, and scientists were convinced that a biological molecule held the key.
The Key Players
- James Watson, a 23-year-old American, and Francis Crick, an English physicist, joined forces at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, England, to tackle the mystery of DNA structure.
- Watson was known for his intense love of science and determination, while Crick was trained as a physicist but had a passion for biology.
The Background
- The idea of the gene dates back to Gregor Mendel's experiments with peapods in the 1860s.
- By the 1920s, genes were located inside the nucleus of cells and associated with chromosomes, which are made of proteins and DNA.
- However, it was unclear whether DNA or protein was the key to genetic inheritance.
The Race to Solve DNA Structure
- Watson and Crick were among the few who believed that genes were made of DNA, which was seen as a less interesting molecule compared to proteins.
- They thought that solving the molecular structure of DNA would reveal how genetic information is stored and passed on.
- X-ray crystallography was a powerful technique being used to solve molecular structures, but it was challenging, especially with DNA.
The Competition
- Maurice Wilkins, a scientist at King's College in London, was also working on DNA structure, but his relationship with his colleague Rosalind Franklin was strained, hindering their progress.
- Linus Pauling, a renowned physical chemist from California, was also a potential competitor, but his triple helix model was later found to be incorrect.
The Breakthrough
- Watson and Crick built a model of DNA, but it was initially incorrect due to misremembered measurements.
- They were initially forbidden from working on DNA, but continued to read and discuss relevant research.
- The discovery of Pauling's triple helix model relieved them, but they soon realized that Franklin's Photo 51, a diffraction pattern of DNA, was a helix, leading them to re-examine their model.
- Crick's insight into the symmetry of DNA and the idea that the sugar phosphate backbones ran in opposite directions led to a new model.
The Double Helix
- Watson's experimentation with pairing like with like (adenine with adenine, etc.) revealed that the bases couldn't pair in that way, and Crick pointed out that the model didn't account for Chargaff's rules.
- Watson's cardboard cutouts led to the correct arrangement of the bases, which fit the measurements and revealed how DNA works.
- The double helix model immediately revealed how genetic information is stored and how changes or mutations occur.
The Aftermath
- The discovery of the double helix was reported in Nature and made headlines around the world, earning Watson, Crick, and Wilkins a Nobel Prize in 1962.
- The discovery opened up a new world of possibilities for biologists, allowing them to decode the mysteries of life.
The Discovery of DNA Structure
- In the early 20th century, physicists and chemists had unlocked the secrets of the atom, but the process of inheritance remained a mystery.
The Key Players
- James Watson, a 23-year-old American, and Francis Crick, an English physicist, collaborated at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, England, to solve the mystery of DNA structure.
- Watson was known for his intense love of science and determination, while Crick was trained as a physicist but had a passion for biology.
The Background
- The concept of the gene dates back to Gregor Mendel's experiments with peapods in the 1860s.
- By the 1920s, genes were located inside the nucleus of cells and associated with chromosomes, which are made of proteins and DNA.
- However, it was unclear whether DNA or protein was the key to genetic inheritance.
The Race to Solve DNA Structure
- Watson and Crick believed that genes were made of DNA, which was seen as a less interesting molecule compared to proteins.
- Solving the molecular structure of DNA would reveal how genetic information is stored and passed on.
- X-ray crystallography was a powerful technique being used to solve molecular structures, but it was challenging, especially with DNA.
The Competition
- Maurice Wilkins, a scientist at King's College in London, was also working on DNA structure, but his relationship with his colleague Rosalind Franklin was strained, hindering their progress.
- Linus Pauling, a renowned physical chemist from California, was also a potential competitor, but his triple helix model was later found to be incorrect.
The Breakthrough
- Watson and Crick initially built an incorrect model of DNA due to misremembered measurements.
- They were initially forbidden from working on DNA, but continued to read and discuss relevant research.
- The discovery of Pauling's triple helix model relieved them, but they soon realized that Franklin's Photo 51, a diffraction pattern of DNA, was a helix, leading them to re-examine their model.
- Crick's insight into the symmetry of DNA and the idea that the sugar phosphate backbones ran in opposite directions led to a new model.
The Double Helix
- Watson's experimentation with pairing like with like (adenine with adenine, etc.) revealed that the bases couldn't pair in that way, and Crick pointed out that the model didn't account for Chargaff's rules.
- Watson's cardboard cutouts led to the correct arrangement of the bases, which fit the measurements and revealed how DNA works.
- The double helix model immediately revealed how genetic information is stored and how changes or mutations occur.
The Aftermath
- The discovery of the double helix was reported in Nature and made headlines around the world, earning Watson, Crick, and Wilkins a Nobel Prize in 1962.
- The discovery opened up a new world of possibilities for biologists, allowing them to decode the mysteries of life.
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Description
Learn about the discovery of DNA structure and the scientists who uncovered its secrets, including James Watson and Francis Crick. Explore how they solved the puzzle of inheritance and the role of biological molecules.
