The structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was famously discovered by two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick, in 1953.
Key Contributions:
James Watson (American biologist) and Francis Crick (British physicist) are credited with proposing the double-helix structure of DNA.
Their groundbreaking work was based on key insights from other researchers, notably Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins.
Key Points:
Double Helix Model: Watson and Crick’s model revealed that DNA consists of two long strands that twist around each other, forming a structure resembling a double helix. This structure is essential for DNA’s ability to replicate and store genetic information.
Base Pairing: They discovered that the two strands of DNA are connected by specific base pairs. The adenine (A) base pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This base-pairing rule is fundamental to the way genetic information is transferred and copied.
Other Key Figures:
Rosalind Franklin: Her X-ray crystallography images of DNA, especially the famous Photo 51, provided critical evidence that helped Watson and Crick deduce the double-helix structure. Sadly, Franklin did not receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime.
Maurice Wilkins: A colleague of Franklin’s at King’s College London, he also contributed to the X-ray diffraction images and data that helped Watson and Crick develop their model.
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Nobel Prize:
Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for their discovery of the structure of DNA.
Rosalind Franklin was not included in the Nobel Prize as she had passed away in 1958, and the Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously.
This discovery revolutionized biology, leading to an explosion of research into genetics, molecular biology, and the understanding of heredity.
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