Question

Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA structure was based on which two findings. Also mention the name of scientists associated with these findings.

Hint:

Watson and Crick didn't perform the X-ray experiments themselves; they proposed the model based on the data of others.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The 1953 model of the DNA double helix was a synthesis of experimental data collected by other researchers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. X-ray Diffraction Data: Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin produced high-resolution X-ray diffraction images of DNA (specifically Photo 51). This suggested a helical structure with specific dimensions.
2. Chargaff's Rules: Erwin Chargaff observed that for a double-stranded DNA, the ratios between Adenine and Thymine and Guanine and Cytosine are constant and equal to one (i.e., \([A]=[T]\) and \([G]=[C]\)).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The discovery was based on X-ray diffraction data by Wilkins and Franklin, and the observation of base parity by Erwin Chargaff.