This essay will endeavour to present how Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA as it is better known was discovered. Furthermore, and how since its discovery, has allowed questions to be answered, theories to be challenged and tested and in addition, continues to amaze scientists’ and scholars’ alike. Prior to this discovery, theories of transmissible evolution remained conjecture and it was not until the invention of the microscope, that it was possible to truly delve deeper. The subsequent explanation of this discovery from inception to modern day use, will enable a better understanding of DNA, it’s diverse and numerous applications, as well as how it has evolved throughout the history of science.
Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is a molecule that
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In 1951, Francis Crick, James Watson and Maurice Wilkins collaborated and using available X-ray data and model building, they both solved the double helix structure of DNA (Olby, 2009). A biochemist by the name of Erwin Chargoff said, “there is an A for every T, and a C for every G”. To say that a meagre few contributed to the discovery and evolution of DNA research would be inaccurate. Mendel’s work with pea plants started the journey for mankind to not only understand the intricacies of DNA, but also its causal implications to genetics and to shared hereditary traits in man and in animals. Many followed and published their findings, many collaborated, but they all shared a common goal, to establish a connection and a singular signature for each living thing, very much like Crick, Watson and Wilkins double helix structure.Further from this in 1979 a biochemist named Kary Mullis carried out research of his own and in so doing, successfully invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that amplifies specific DNA sequences from very small amounts of genetic …show more content…
Other uses for DNA today include the study of its ancient equivalent, where fragments of bone and tissue or preserved plant remains can determine, the manner, the reason and the time of life lived, and cause of death or demise. Notably there is DNA replication which has allowed scientists to make clones of sheep and mice. Between 1953 and 1996 there has been various findings regarding diseases of individual genes such as Cystic Fibrosis, and Huntington’s Disease. Also known as Therapeutic Cloning, this procedure can make multiple copies of the cell to treat the disease. (Zang Y, 2011). In the year 2000, a draft was submitted for The Human Genome Project which finally came about in 2003. An international research effort to map all of the genes or genomes, of all of our species. This would enable scientists, for the first time, to decipher nature’s genetic blueprint for building a human being (Y,
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule found in all forms of life that is passed down from parents to offspring. What makes each DNA unique is the chemical makeup of the molecule sometimes referred to as the “blueprint of life.” (BIO). DNA is made up of nucleotides consisting of a sugar, a phosphate and a base pair. About six million nucleotide base pairs make up DNA in each cell.
We might not know how important were Franklin’s lucid x-ray diffractions of hydrated DNA to Watson and Francis Crick if it
But Franklin persisted on the DNA project. J. D. Bernal called her X-ray photographs of DNA, "the most beautiful X-ray photographs of any substance ever taken." Between 1951 and 1953 Rosalind Franklin came very close to solving the DNA structure. She was beaten to publication by Crick and Watson in part because of the friction between Wilkins and herself. At one point, Wilkins showed Watson one of Franklin 's crystallographic portraits of DNA.
This novel includes his journeys across the world and the individuals who helped form the discovery of DNA. The creation of scientific ideas and advancements are what has shaped our world today, without the discovery of the hemoglobin molecule, or even the discovery of DNA, we as individuals would not know how genes work and why every individual is unique in the way they look. Giving credit to these scientists is a very important part of history, “The previous day Max Perutz had given Francis a new manuscript by Sir Lawrence and himself, dealing with the shape of the hemoglobin molecule. As he rapidly read its contents Francis became furious, for he noticed that part of the argument depended upon a theoretical idea he had pronounced some nine months earlier” (Watson 57).
Structure of DNA As technology grew and scientist were getting closer to discover the structure of DNA, four scientists helped each other to make the discovery possible. The four scientists were Franklin, Wilkins, Pauling, Watson, and Crick. All four of these scientists come from different fields of study and all had to bring a piece of the puzzle to the table. Wilkins and a student at his lab, Raymond Gosling, decided to use a technique called X-ray diffraction.
James D. Watson, the one who discovered the Double Helix. Once an everyday biology man. On the contrary, that all changed because of Francis Crick. Watson took interest in DNA because of Wilkins, was motivated by Crick, and put down by Rosy quite a bit. They made quite a team.
At the dawn of 20th century the field of genetics witnessed something extraordinary, the rediscovery of Mendel, which paved our way towards understanding the pattern of inheritance. Although with this the foundation of modern ear genetics was laid scientists were still clueless about the chemical nature of genetic material. Later in the middle of 20th century crucial evidences supporting DNA as a genetic material came into picture and ultimately which lead towards the discovery of DNA double helix. This perhaps revolutionized the whole world of biological sciences. Watson and Crick DNA double helix model supported all the previous assumption which were related to what should be the features of anything to be called as genetic material.
DNA in Forensic Science DNA is the carrier of genetic information in humans and other living organisms. It has become a very useful tool in forensic science since it was discovered. In forensic science, DNA testing is used to compare the genetic structure of two individuals to establish whether there is a genetic relationship between them. One example of the use of DNA in forensic science that is important in biology today is comparing a suspect’s DNA profile to DNA that was discovered at a crime scene.
The DNA gathered by the group bore positive results only on Test for Deoxyribose; compared to the standard solution, which bore positive results on all chemical tests, namely, Test for Deoxyribose, Test for Phosphate, Test for Purines, and test for Pyrimidines. Introduction Nucleic Acid is one of the essential biochemical molecules
This essay will be about two people named Gregor Mendle and Charles Darwin. I will be discussing each of their childhood and there career. One from England the other from Germany, they both hadn't major passion for science. These two people have changed how we think about science at a time of where there scientific breakthrough led to many good things. Darwin's breakthroughs science and natural selection and Mendle's breakthroughs in genes, traits, and alleles.
this book mentioned many of the scientists names that involved in the momentous race that identified the double helix of DNA. the story of the book take place from 1950 to 1953 begin when Watson arrives at Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge, England, and he begins his friendships with other scientists.one of them was Francis Crick that he shared with Watson the interests in studying the structure of DNA. They went to King’s College in London to get a picture of a DNA molecule. By going to King’s College they were introduced to Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. both of them were involved in researching DNA through crystallography in King’s College lab.
In 1953 Watson and Crick discovered the double helix. They were both curious about the structure of the DNA since it was the main component (molecule) of life. There were four nitrogen bases which were: T, A, C, G, and these were paired with the corresponding one, this was proposed by Levene. However, his tetranucleotide theory was incorrect, he believed that the DNA had a sequence that was repetitive. Erwin Chargaff later discovered that the T and A belonged together and then the C and the G, this was because their number came close to one another.
Which steps did Watson & Crick exactly make to come to this discovery? These persons themselves are the prove that we have reached a very impressive threshold. In the 1920s and 1930s most people thought the source for heredity were proteins, because they had all these different shapes and forms. Watson & Crick were both studying on something else, and were not officially assigned to do the study on DNA, they were not at all scientific leaders in their time. Linus Pauling was at the time a huge scientific leader, he published a structure of DNA before Crick & Watson did, however he was wrong about the structure.
DNA in forensic science The majority of cells making up the human body are diploid cells carrying identical DNA, with the exception of haploid gametes and red blood cells. Several types of biological evidence such as blood and hair are commonly used in forensic science, which is the scientific study of evidence for crime scene investigations and other legal matters. Forensic science is used for the purpose of DNA analysis, this is the analysis of DNA samples to determine if it came from a particular individual. DNA analysis is done by obtaining DNA samples from an individual; next, a large sample of DNA is produced from amplified selected sequences from the DNA collected.
4. SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF HIS TIME According to Morgan (1938) and López-Beltrán (1994), the mystery behind human inheritance has been a long problem which began with the Greek philosophers. Between the time of Aristotle and Mendel time, several theories about human inheritance has been advocated for, part of which are the theories of evolution and influence of the environment by Charles Darwin and Lamarck respectively (Morgan, 1938). As stated in history (Mendel, 2015), before the time of Mendel discovery, there has been a common practice of crossing animals to get the best traits and keeping seeds from a high yielded plant to be sown in the next season.