Rosalind Franklin and DNA Structure

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Questions and Answers

What was Rosalind Franklin's primary area of research that contributed to the discovery of DNA's structure?

  • X-ray crystallography (correct)
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemical analysis
  • Genetic engineering

What significant event occurred in 1951 at King's College London regarding Franklin's career?

  • She completed her doctorate
  • She won a Nobel Prize
  • She was appointed to head the X-ray research team (correct)
  • She began her research on crop viruses

What was the result of Franklin's work in X-ray crystallography in 1952?

  • The structure of RNA was determined
  • The first model of DNA was created
  • The correct genetic coding sequence was deciphered
  • The first clear image of crystalline DNA was produced (correct)

Where did Rosalind Franklin conduct her doctoral research before her contributions to DNA?

<p>University of Cambridge (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase best reflects Rosalind Franklin's attitude toward the relationship between science and everyday life?

<p>Everyday life influences scientific discovery. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the key contribution of Photograph 51 to the understanding of DNA?

<p>It revealed the crystalline structure of DNA. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects Rosalind Franklin's achievements during her research on DNA?

<p>She accurately identified the double helix structure and proposed a DNA backbone. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Maurice Wilkins play in the recognition of Franklin's work?

<p>He presented Franklin's unpublished work to Watson and Crick. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for the delayed acknowledgment of Franklin's contributions to science?

<p>Her untimely death occurred before the Nobel Prize eligibility. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What additional field did Rosalind Franklin contribute to after her work on DNA?

<p>The study of the crystalline structure of viruses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who was Rosalind Franklin?

A British chemist who played a key role in discovering the structure of DNA.

What was Franklin's major contribution to DNA research?

Franklin produced the first clear X-ray image of DNA in 1952, revealing its double helix structure.

How did Franklin's work impact the DNA discovery?

Franklin's work helped Watson and Crick build their model of the DNA molecule, though their findings were published without fully acknowledging her contributions.

What is X-ray crystallography?

The technique that uses X-rays to analyze the structure of crystals. Franklin was a master of this method.

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What is the significance of Franklin's quote, "Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated."?

This quote highlights Franklin's belief in the connection between scientific research and its impact on our lives.

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What was Photograph 51?

Photograph 51, an X-ray image taken in 1952, revolutionized our understanding of DNA by revealing its double helix structure. It was a crucial breakthrough in the field of molecular biology and contributed significantly to the discovery of DNA's structure.

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Who was Rosalind Franklin and what was her contribution?

Rosalind Franklin, a British chemist, was a pioneer in X-ray diffraction. Her expertise in this technique resulted in Photograph 51, a clear image of DNA's double helix. Her work laid the foundation for Watson and Crick's model of DNA structure.

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What was Maurice Wilkins' role in DNA discovery?

Maurice Wilkins, a biophysicist, also played a key role in the discovery of DNA's structure. He collaborated with Rosalind Franklin and shared her X-ray diffraction data with Watson and Crick, which helped them confirm the double helix model. However, Franklin's contributions were not fully acknowledged at the time.

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Why wasn't Rosalind Franklin recognized for her work during her lifetime?

Although Franklin's groundbreaking research played a pivotal role in the discovery of DNA's structure, her contributions were not given full recognition until posthumously. The Nobel Prize for the discovery of DNA was awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins in 1962.

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Apart from DNA, what else did Rosalind Franklin research?

Franklin's research went beyond DNA. She also studied the structure of viruses, particularly the polio virus. Her work in this field contributed significantly to our understanding of viruses and their impact on human health.

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Study Notes

Rosalind Franklin: A Chemist's Contribution to DNA

  • Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist born in London in 1920.
  • She earned a degree in physics in 1941 and a doctorate in 1945 in physical chemistry.
  • Her research focused on the structures of coal, graphite, and later, DNA.
  • Franklin employed X-ray crystallography to study the structure of DNA, a technique she mastered.
  • Her work determined the molecular structure of DNA, making crucial contributions to the 20th century's scientific advancements.
  • Franklin's expertise in X-ray crystallography was instrumental to understanding DNA structure. She used X-rays to examine the crystalline structure.

The Race to Understand DNA

  • In the 1950s, scientists globally competed to discover the structure of the DNA molecule, which contained genetic coding crucial to all living organisms.
  • Leading up to this timeframe, scientists like James Watson and Francis Crick, were also trying to solve the structure of DNA.
  • Franklin's precise, detailed photographing of DNA strands using X-rays at King's College, London, led to profound advancements in understanding the double helix structure of DNA.
  • In 1952, her image of DNA unveiled its double helix structure, proving critical to modern biology. Photo 51 was her most important image leading to the discovery, her work was vital for advancements in the understanding of DNA.

Franklin's Impact and Legacy

  • She photographed DNA strands at King's College, London, working with physicists, biologists, and biochemists, helping pioneer biophysical techniques.
  • Her groundbreaking work in X-ray crystallography advanced biophysics.
  • Franklin later moved to Birkbeck College and conducted research on plant viruses.
  • She famously stated, "Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated."
  • Despite her vital work, her contributions to DNA discovery faced limitations due to various factors, influencing her recognition amongst those involved in the project. She did not receive recognition in her lifetime for her pioneering work.

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