The Race for the Double Helix Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What was Watson's primary motivation for studying nucleic acids?

To find out the structure of the DNA molecule

What English university did Watson go to after receiving a fellowship from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis?

Cambridge

What was the name of the research laboratory at Cambridge?

The Cavendish

Who was 'Bright Hope'?

Crick Signup and view all the answers

Who was the director and what was his claim to fame?

Crick, because he hopes he will win the Nobel Prize soon Signup and view all the answers

At what college did Rosalind Franklin go to start her new research job?

Kings College Signup and view all the answers

Where was King's College located?

London Signup and view all the answers

Who else was doing DNA research at King's College?

Maurice Wilkins Signup and view all the answers

What did Crick mean when he said 'Piano, Jim...softly, softly catch a monkey'?

Be patient Signup and view all the answers

What did Crick mean when he said, 'Maurice has a cuckoo in his nest'?

His ideas are constantly being used by others Signup and view all the answers

How did Watson get Rosalind Franklin's data on DNA?

He went to her lecture Signup and view all the answers

Why weren't Watson and Crick successful at building the first model?

Watson miscalculated the number of water molecules Signup and view all the answers

How did the director of Watson's lab view Watson and Crick's attempt on DNA?

A failure Signup and view all the answers

Who did Watson and Crick meet at the formal dinner party that provided critical evidence?

Erwin Chargaff Signup and view all the answers

Why were Watson and Crick in such a hurry to complete the second model?

So that Linus Pauling wouldn't come up with the answer before they did Signup and view all the answers

How did Watson obtain the necessary information about the number of bases and angles of molecules from Franklin's pictures?

Watson saw the picture of the DNA molecule when talking to Maurice Wilkins Signup and view all the answers

What insight did Crick provide about the direction of travel in each DNA chain?

That the two chains are running in opposite directions Signup and view all the answers

Why is this movie also sold under the title 'Race for the Double Helix'?

They were in a race against Linus Pauling Signup and view all the answers

Which member of the team figured out how the bases attach to the deoxyribose sugars?

Watson Signup and view all the answers

What did they mean when they said they had discovered the secret of life?

They had discovered the secret of life Signup and view all the answers

How much actual lab research did Watson and Crick do?

None Signup and view all the answers

What did Crick mean when he said, 'It never dies Jim' near the end of the film?

The genes you inherit don't die off until your whole family dies off Signup and view all the answers

When was the Nobel Prize awarded to Watson and Crick?

1962 Signup and view all the answers

Why wasn't Franklin awarded a share of the Nobel Prize?

She had died before the Nobel Prize was awarded, and it is not awarded to people after they have died Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Watson's Motivation and Education

Watson aimed to uncover the structure of the DNA molecule, driving his interest in nucleic acids.
He continued his studies at Cambridge University after receiving a fellowship from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

Research Collaborations and Key Figures

Watson conducted research at the Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge.
Crick, referred to as "bright hope," was a pivotal collaborator with aspirations of winning a Nobel Prize.
Rosalind Franklin transitioned to King's College, London, around the same time Watson met Crick.
Maurice Wilkins was another researcher conducting DNA studies at King's College.

Research Insights and Challenges

Crick's statement about "Piano, Jim...softly, softly catch a monkey" emphasized the need for patience in research.
Crick's remark about a "cuckoo in his nest" highlighted how others frequently utilized Wilkins' ideas.
Watson obtained Franklin's crucial DNA data by attending her lecture.

Model Building and Evidence Gathering

Initial attempts to construct a DNA model were unsuccessful due to Watson’s errors in calculating water molecules.
The director of Watson's lab considered their efforts a failure.
Critical evidence came from Erwin Chargaff at a formal dinner, who revealed that adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.

Competitive Pressures and Discoveries

There was urgency to finalize their DNA model to outpace Linus Pauling's research.
Watson gained essential insights about the DNA structure through Franklin's photographs, shared by Wilkins.
Crick elucidated that DNA chains run in opposite directions, clarifying the structure.

Celebrations and Recognition

The film is also titled "Race for the Double Helix" due to the competitive landscape against Pauling.
Watson discovered how DNA bases attach to deoxyribose sugars, contributing significantly to their model.
Their celebration at a nearby pub underscored their momentous claim of discovering the "secret of life."

Contributions and Nobel Prize

Despite their pivotal roles, Watson and Crick conducted minimal actual lab research.
Crick's statement about inherited genes’ persistence indicated the lasting nature of genetic information.
Watson and Crick were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962; Franklin was not included posthumously as she had passed away before the award ceremony.

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Explore key concepts and facts from 'The Race for the Double Helix' with these informative flashcards. Test your knowledge on Watson's motivations, his educational journey, and significant research laboratories involved in the discovery of DNA. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of molecular biology.