preview

The Real Scientist: Rosalind Franklin's Discovery

Decent Essays

What is DNA? DNA is a molecule that carries and stores all of the genetic information that makes up an organism. Every organism has DNA, and everyone’s is different. No two people have the same DNA, not even identical twins. DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, and is composed of a sugar (deoxyribose), phosphate, and 4 nitrogenous bases, which when all correctly formed together create a double helix shape.
The Real Scientist: Rosalind Franklin’s Discovery
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 …show more content…

The base pairs are very specific on which two can bond together based on the number of rings that they have. Adenine and Guanine are purines, meaning they are composed of two rings. Thymine and Cytosine are pyrimidines which means they are composed of one ring. Purines always bond with pyrimidines, therefore Adenine always bonds with Thymine, and Guanine always bonds with Cytosine. The base pairs are complementary, and almost fit together like a lock and key (CK-12 Foundation, 2017). These nitrogenous bases are bonded together with 1 hydrogen bond. The bases are located in the center of the DNA strand in a specific pattern according to the DNA they are apart of. The name for the base Adenine comes from a greek word “aden” meaning internal gland, and a chemical suffix “ine”. Another base, Thymine, gets its name from thymic acid which it was isolated from, obtained from the thymus gland with the chemical suffix “ine”. Guanine gets its name from guano which the chemical was first isolated from, and the chemical suffix “ine”. Lastly, Cytosine gets its name from “cyto” meaning cell, along with the chemical suffix “ine” that also makes up the other nitrogenous bases (Online Eytmology Dictionary, …show more content…

Deoxyribose is important in DNA because there is a lack of oxygen within it, which prevents the molecules from getting involved in chemical reactions, and helps avoid the DNA from being broken down. Because DNA is meant for long term use, it is a necessity that it has a strong base that prevents it from being decayed (Biology Stack Exchange, 2016). The outer part of DNA that keeps it all together is a called the backbone, which is composed of alternating sugar and phosphate molecules. This sugar-phosphate backbone is what creates the double-helix shape formed by two linear backbones that run opposite of each other (Scitable By Nature Education, 2017). The sugar is located in between one of the nitrogenous bases, and a phosphate molecule. The phosphate and the sugar in the structure are important because they provide a lot of support in the backbone, and help complete the DNA strand.
New Advancements Because of DNA
Though it may have taken science a long time to make any real discoveries about DNA, this information has helped science advance in many ways. This new knowledge can be used for many different ways in many different careers. People are now able to determine who may have been involved in a crime based on the DNA found, which provides crucial evidence in a court case. DNA can also be used to analyze different chromosomes, and determine why certain genetic diseases may occur and how the DNA of those

Get Access