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.

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  • ID: 15676
  • Source: DNALC.DNAi

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15493. The double helical structure of DNA, 3D animation with no audio

Animation of 2D DNA model becoming three dimensional.

  • ID: 15493
  • Source: DNAi

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.

  • ID: 16422
  • Source: DNALC.DNAFTB

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.

  • ID: 15014
  • Source: DNAi

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.

  • ID: 1445
  • Source: G2C

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.

  • ID: 16421
  • Source: DNAFTB

15455. Winning the race for the double helix, James Watson

James Watson talks about his partnership with Francis Crick.

  • ID: 15455
  • Source: DNAi

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.

  • ID: 16438
  • Source: DNAFTB

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.

  • ID: 15874
  • Source: DNAi

15539. DNA base pairs

DNA base pairs

  • ID: 15539
  • Source: DNAi

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.

  • ID: 15015
  • Source: DNAi