Instructions-
This page contains several resources to help you understand the structure of DNA. A skeleton handout is provided to guide you through the accompanying PowerPoint slideshow. After viewing the resources, complete the timeline assigment that is described at the bottom of the page. When you are finished with your timeline, move on to learn about Transcription. Important vocabulary terms are highlighted in orange text.
DNA Structure..............Transcription.............Translation
Although James Watson and Francis Crick are credited with finally confirming the structure of DNA in April of 1953, much work was done beforehand by a number of researchers that contributed important pieces to the puzzle that was DNA. Click here to see a timeline of events related to the discovery of DNA and its structure.
Thomas Hunt Morgan discovered linkage and chromosomes. Frederick Griffith's work on transformation set the stage for Oswald Avery's team to arrive at the conclusion that it was DNA that was indeed the transforming agent in 1944. In 1950, a biochemist named Erwin Chargaff recognized a peculiar regularity in the ratios of nucleotide bases within individual species, later known as Chargaff's rules. Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase proved Avery's claim to be correct with their work on radioactivley labeled T2 phages in 1952. Working under Maurice Wilkins at King's College in London, Rosalind Franklin had the key piece of information in what is known as X-ray diffraction photograph #51. After carefully studying the image, James Watson arrived at the conclusion that DNA was helical in shape. From there, Watson and Francis Crick constructed the now familiar double helix model that brought together all that had been discovered about DNA.
Thomas Hunt Morgan discovered linkage and chromosomes. Frederick Griffith's work on transformation set the stage for Oswald Avery's team to arrive at the conclusion that it was DNA that was indeed the transforming agent in 1944. In 1950, a biochemist named Erwin Chargaff recognized a peculiar regularity in the ratios of nucleotide bases within individual species, later known as Chargaff's rules. Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase proved Avery's claim to be correct with their work on radioactivley labeled T2 phages in 1952. Working under Maurice Wilkins at King's College in London, Rosalind Franklin had the key piece of information in what is known as X-ray diffraction photograph #51. After carefully studying the image, James Watson arrived at the conclusion that DNA was helical in shape. From there, Watson and Francis Crick constructed the now familiar double helix model that brought together all that had been discovered about DNA.
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Timeline Assignment
After you have viewed the YouTube video clips and Ch 16 PowerPoint below, use ReadWriteThink.org to create your own timeline of the events surrounding the discovery of DNA and its structure. Print your timeline when you are finished, as there is no option to save your work with this website/program.