Word: crick
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Subsequent experiments have proved the Watson-Crick model of DNA correct, and much effort is currently being directed toward breaking the DNA code...
...year-old biologist seemed nonpluseed at all the attention centered on him and confessed he was "overwhelmed" by the announcement. When asked to tell what he had done, he replied simply. "We thought DNA was important and that we ought to know its structure. Crick and I thought we could guess the structure if we went about it in the right way, and I suppose...
When Watson and Crick began their research in England, DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) had already been identified as the genetic substance of cells. Information on its chemical composition suggested that it was a very long, thin molecule made up of sugar groups (deoxyribose), phosphate groups, and nitrogen-containing "bases." Further, X-ray diffraction patterns of fibrous DNA indicated that the form of the molecule was a double helix...
From these bits of information, Watson and Crick built up a hypothetical structure of the DNA molecule that appeared to take into account all of the observations then available. Ther model consisted of two strands of alternating sugar and phosphate groups wound about a common axis as a double helix. The bases were attached to the sugar groups and projected toward each other from opposite strands. Finally, hydrogen bonds between the base-pairs formed rung-like links between the two strands...
...astounding thing about this proposed structure was that this DNA molecule could obviously serve as a vehicle for genetic information. Watson and Crick hypothesized that the two strands of the molecule were complementary, that is, that the arrangement of groups on one strand determined the arrangement on the other. Thus, if the strands were to separate, each might be able to form its complement if the necessary components were available, and in this way two identical DNA molecules would result...