What contributions to the understanding of DNA did Rosalind Franklin make?

Answer 1

Rosalind Franklin in DNARosalind Franklin used crystallography to make an x-ray image of the structure of DNA that led to the discovery of the double-helix by Watson and Crick. Watson and Crick already understood the fact that bases composed the DNA in a certain manner, but did not know exactly the order in which they paired. The x-ray Rosalind provided the outline of the DNA and from there Watson and Crick could analyze how the DNA was in fact a double helix due to the triple bonded G-C (Guanine and Cytosine) that formed the "skinny" parts of the DNA and the double-bonded A-T (Adenine and Thymine) that formed the "fatter" parts of the DNA. Due to this woman's crystallography, Watson and Crick ultimately won the Nobel Prize. Rosalind could not acquire this award because she died four years earlier of radiation from the x-rays that caused her to develop cancer.

Answer 2

Rosalind Franklin's work was a major factor in the effort to determine the structure of DNA. Franklin observed how DNA reacted to water. From this evidence she deduced that hydrophobic nitrogenous bases must be located on the inside of the helical structure, and that hydrophilic sugar-phosphate backbone must be located on the outside, facing toward the watery nucleus of the cell.

Answer 3

Franklin originally discovered the double helix structure of DNA, although Watson and Crick were first to construct a model and therefore got a majority of the credit. However, Franklin discovered the double helix structure when firing x-ray beams at crystalized DNA and observing the patterns created when these rays reflected off the DNA. The first time that the double helix can be seen from Franklin's experiments is called photo 51.

Answer 4

Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images of DNA were key in revealing the helical structure and dimensions of the DNA molecule. Her work provided critical evidence for the double-helix structure proposed by Watson and Crick, even though she did not receive credit for her contributions during her lifetime.

Answer 5

x-ray diffraction photos of the DNA molecule