Who made the X-ray diffraction patterns that Watson & Crick used?

Who made the X-ray diffraction patterns that Watson & Crick used?

• A. James Watson and Francis Crick
• B. Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins
• C. Rosalind Franklin and James Watson
• D. Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick

Answer: (B)

X-ray diffraction patterns reveal how a molecule is arranged in three dimensions. Watson and Crick used patterns produced by Rosalind Franklin, whose careful DNA X-ray images showed a distinct helical arrangement and provided precise measurements of the helix's dimensions. Maurice Wilkins also generated X-ray diffraction data and shared it with Watson and Crick, supplying additional evidence they could compare with their models. Because these diffraction patterns were the primary visual clues pointing to a helical structure with specific spacing, Franklin’s images (and Wilkins’ data) were essential in guiding the double-helix model. The other individuals listed did not produce the key X-ray diffraction images used to infer DNA’s structure.

X-ray diffraction patterns reveal how a molecule is arranged in three dimensions. Watson and Crick used patterns produced by Rosalind Franklin, whose careful DNA X-ray images showed a distinct helical arrangement and provided precise measurements of the helix's dimensions. Maurice Wilkins also generated X-ray diffraction data and shared it with Watson and Crick, supplying additional evidence they could compare with their models. Because these diffraction patterns were the primary visual clues pointing to a helical structure with specific spacing, Franklin’s images (and Wilkins’ data) were essential in guiding the double-helix model. The other individuals listed did not produce the key X-ray diffraction images used to infer DNA’s structure.