0 of 1 Questions completed
Questions:
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading…
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You must first complete the following:
0 of 1 Questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
The discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in history. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick, along with their colleague Maurice Wilkins, unveiled the structure of DNA, which revolutionized our understanding of genetics and heredity.
Prior to their discovery, scientists knew that DNA was responsible for carrying genetic information, but its specific structure remained a mystery. Watson and Crick’s breakthrough came after they built upon the work of other researchers, including Rosalind Franklin, who had captured crucial X-ray diffraction images of DNA. By piecing together various clues and conducting extensive model building, Watson and Crick proposed the now-famous double helix structure of DNA.
The double helix structure of DNA consists of two strands that are intertwined in a spiral. Each strand is made up of nucleotides, which are chemical units containing a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous bases, adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), pair up in a complementary manner. Adenine always pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine, creating a precise and stable pairing system.
The significance of Watson and Crick’s discovery extended beyond understanding DNA’s structure. Their work provided crucial insights into the mechanism of DNA replication, in which DNA makes identical copies of itself during cell division. This process is essential for passing genetic information from one generation to the next.
Furthermore, the discovery of DNA’s structure led to the field of molecular biology, laying the foundation for numerous medical and scientific advancements. Scientists began unraveling the genetic code and identifying genes responsible for various traits and diseases. The development of techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 opened up new possibilities for genetic engineering and gene therapy.
In conclusion, the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick has had a profound impact on the field of genetics and molecular biology. Their groundbreaking work not only provided crucial insights into the structure and replication of DNA but also laid the groundwork for numerous scientific advancements and medical breakthroughs.
In the passage, the phrase “unraveling the genetic code” most likely means
Question Hint:
Consider the context and the broader implications of the phrase “unraveling the genetic code.” What specific process or concept is being described in the passage? Focus on the passage’s discussion about DNA’s structure and its role in genetics.