Double Helix Lab Report

DNA, the molecule of life that carries genetic information in humans and almost all other organisms, has been considered as one of the greatest discoveries until now. If DNA could not have been discovered, we would not be able to do or test numerous things such as paternity test and pathological confirmation. There are four main scientists who contributed their lives, knowledge, and ambitions to find out the DNA double helix, a DNA molecule that has two strands winding around each other: James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin. Throughout historical backgrounds and environments, their discovery of

Deoxyribo nucleic acid is discovered by the decades of efforts made by the scientists. The history of the discovery of structure of DNA started in 1953 when Watson and crick discovered the structure of DNA. It is the blue print of life. It is a code and means of storing genetic information.

In Time Magazine an article states On February 28 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick broke the DNA code and discovered that the DNA strand is double helix and forms like a ladder. They found that cytosine and guanine were paired together and that adenine and thymine were paired. They discovered the building block of life (Wright, 1999). DNA is found in all living organisms.

Although scientists knew DNA existed, the important characteristic such as its components, shape, and properties remained a mystery for a long period of time. Finally an advancement was made; scientist Rosalind Franklin was able to capture an X-ray image of DNA fibers, commonly referred

DNA, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the basic structure for all life, it is the blueprint, the instruction manual, on how to build a living organism. DNA is made up of four nitrogen bases, adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine which are connected by sugar-phosphate bonds. Through a process called Protein Synthesis, the nitrogen bases are the code for the creation of amino acids. Essentially, DNA makes amino acids, amino acids make proteins, proteins make organisms. This process has been taking place for much longer than scientists have been able to document. Those scientists are called geneticists and their field is genetics.

II. As Louis Pasteur put it “The infinitely small in nature is infinitely great.” This quote gives a perfectly accurate description on how something as microscopic as DNA could have such an extensive role in our lives. Just a small piece of DNA can help investigators solve cases and assure that the correct person is being punished.

Electrophoresis can be used to get DNA fingerprint for forensic purposes or to test genes for a particular disease(Gel electrophoresis).The purpose of gel electrophoresis is to picture, identify and distinguish between the molecules that have been processed by other methods such as PCR or enzymatic digestion. Different methods are run through the gel electrophoresis to differentiate between molecules (Gel Electrophoresis - Definition, Purpose and

Throughout the early 19th and 20th century, many scientists have studied deoxyribonucleic acids in order to attain higher understanding over the matter. Johann G. Mendel had figured out and understood the laws of heredity. Friedrich Miescher amazingly discovered DNA in 1869, even though scientists did not understand DNA was the genetic material

Rosalind Franklin was able to take an x-ray image of the DNA strand and see how it was shaped. After seeing her work James Watson and Francis Crick took her image and began researching into it. This led them to discover the double helix.

Scientist in early 1950s James Watson a biologist from Indiana University and Francis Crick a physicist were working at lab to discover the structure of DNA. The primary technique for structural analysis of biological molecules is X-rays. The wave length of X-ray is about the same as the space between the atoms in crystal matters. We learn and know that genetic information was carried on chromosomes made up of DNA and protein. Maurice decided and taken the first x-ray picture of DNA that lead him to suggest the DNA structure might be a helix. Watson was able to rely on Wilkins' research. If he had not, he may have not been the one to discover the structure of DNA. The biggest thing I learned from my research is that scientists can’t make discoveries

On February 28, 1953, James D. Watson and Frances H.C. Crick, Scientists of Cambridge University made a breakthrough announcement for the Science and Medical Field. They had grasped the structure of DNA, the molecule which contains human genes.

Over the course of the modern age, the human body was still a mystery waiting to be solved. The body contains secrets one can only hope to discover. Over the twentieth century, scientists tried to understand one of the most complex concepts in the biological field. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) was at the forefront of research. Several theories claimed to have solved the structural concept of DNA. However, it was not until Francis Crick and James D. Watson discovered the true structure, the double helix. However, many potential models of DNA had passed through the biology field until eventual lose of credibility. The past models would contain a fixed detail that would make the entire concept invalid. In James D. Watson book, The Double Helix, he illustrates his path amid incorrect theories until he reaches the model that is taught around the world today.

"The discovery of the structure by Crick and Watson, with all its biological implications, has been one of the major scientific events of this century." (Bragg, The Double Helix, p1) In the story of The Double Helix, James Watson tells of the road that led to the discovery of life's basic building block-DNA. This autobiography gives insight into science and the workings within a professional research laboratory that few members of society will ever be able to experience. It also gives the reader an idea of the reality of life for one scientist and how he struggled with the problem of DNA. However, the author's style is marked by his lack of objectivity and inclusion of many biased opinions and personal

1953, Watson and Crick discovered one of the biggest mysteries of the human body; the DNA

Rosalind Franklin’s work on DNA was crucial in discovering the composition of the human body as a whole. Her x-ray photo revealed a double helix structure and she also discovered the A and B form of DNA. She worked through the adversity of being a female in a predominately male dominated realm and made remarkable findings that were eventually stolen. She adapted to a new lab with antiquated technology. Before this discovery, the structure of DNA was thought to be simple. Scientist, Watson and Crick, started with the wrong structure of DNA from a misinterpretation of notes from one of Franklin’s presentations. Unlike Watson and Crick, Rosalind Franklin could explain DNA and how it worked.