DNA helix
In 1953, Watson and Crick published a paper: A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid. Based on available data from X-ray diffraction patterns and 3D conceptualization through model building, Watson and Crick proposed that DNA is a double helix - a twisted ladder - with two phosphate-based backbones and "runged" nucleotides that pair. Their paper ended with this comment: It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material.
x ray diffraction,watson and crick,dna helix,diffraction patterns,double helix,james watson,model building,conceptualization,backbones,genetic material,nucleotides,nucleic acid,phosphate,ladder
- ID: 15676
- Source: DNALC.DNAi
Related Content
15493. The double helical structure of DNA, 3D animation with no audio
Animation of 2D DNA model becoming three dimensional.
16422. Animation 19: The DNA molecule is shaped like a twisted ladder.
James Watson and Francis Crick explain how they solved the structure of DNA. Erwin Chargaff explain how he measured the levels of each of the four nitrogenous bases.
15014. Franklin's X-ray diffraction, explanation of X-ray pattern.
How an X-ray diffraction pattern is created and how the DNA X-ray diffraction pattern can be interpreted to give the dimensions.
1445. DNA
Because it contains the directions for assembling the components of the cell, DNA is often thought of as the "instruction book" for assembling life.
16421. Concept 19: The DNA molecule is shaped like a twisted ladder.
Deoxyribose and phosphate molecules form the uprights and nucleotide pair form the rungs of the DNA ladder.
15455. Winning the race for the double helix, James Watson
James Watson talks about his partnership with Francis Crick.
16438. Biography 19: Francis Harry Compton Crick (1916-2004)
James Watson and Francis Crick solved the structure of DNA. Other scientists, like Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, also contributed to this discovery.
15874. Franklin's X-ray
Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling obtained this X-ray diffraction pattern, which triggered the idea that DNA was a helix.
15539. DNA base pairs
DNA base pairs
15015. Francis Crick and James Watson in Cambridge.
1953 picture of Francis Crick (L) and James Watson (R) walking along the backs of King's College in Cambridge.