Watson and Crick

Question

How did Watson and Crick use the data and conclusions of other scientists to put together the proper model of the double helix? What key thing did they do with the molecular shapes that solidified their winning the noble prize?

Answer 1

J,

 

This is a huge question that would require adding drawing. Watson-Crick model of DNA structure was based on findings and observations of primarily three other scientists:

 

Erwin Chargaff had proposed that DNA molecule has equal number of purines and pyrimidines.

 

Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin analyzed the structure with X-ray crystallography,  Watson-Crick analyzed that data further and proposed a model that DNA was a double helix, two strands held together by hydrogen bonds, had deoxyribose sugar and a phosphate group.

please look at www.nature.com under Nature Education for figures and historical perspectives on DNA structure.

 

Best