What was the primary contribution of Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin to DNA research?

What was the primary contribution of Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin to DNA research?

• A. Conservative model
• B. Dispersive model
• C. Semiconservative model
• D. Determining the double helix by using X-ray crystallography

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the structure of DNA was revealed through X-ray crystallography, not the concept of how DNA copies itself. Franklin and Wilkins produced and interpreted X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA, which showed a regular, helical arrangement with a consistent diameter. Franklin’s famous diffraction image and the accompanying data made clear that DNA is a double helix with specific dimensions, clues that Watson and Crick used to construct the correct model of the DNA ladder-like structure. This work laid the foundation for understanding how the molecule carries genetic information, beyond questions about replication models. Thus, their key contribution is determining the DNA double helix by using X-ray crystallography.

The main idea is that the structure of DNA was revealed through X-ray crystallography, not the concept of how DNA copies itself. Franklin and Wilkins produced and interpreted X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA, which showed a regular, helical arrangement with a consistent diameter. Franklin’s famous diffraction image and the accompanying data made clear that DNA is a double helix with specific dimensions, clues that Watson and Crick used to construct the correct model of the DNA ladder-like structure. This work laid the foundation for understanding how the molecule carries genetic information, beyond questions about replication models. Thus, their key contribution is determining the DNA double helix by using X-ray crystallography.