Video Transcript
Which of the following scientists are credited with the discovery of the structure of
DNA? (A) Watson and Crick, (B) Virchow and Watson, (C) Darwin and Crick, (D) Hooke and
Virchow.
This question asks us about a significant discovery involving the structure of
DNA.
In the 1950s, several groups were working towards producing a model of the structure
of DNA. One of these scientists, Rosalind Franklin, took a very important photograph of
DNA. This iconic photograph is known as photo 51 and was taken using a technique called
X-ray crystallography. Then, James Watson and Francis Crick used this photo for different calculations,
which was critical as evidence for the structure of DNA as a double helix. They used this photo without Rosalind Franklin’s permission. And she is often not credited for this important contribution to the discovery of
DNA’s structure.
If we look at our answer choices, answer (B) and (D) include the scientist Virchow,
who was active during the 1850s and is known for his work on cell theory. So these answers are incorrect. Similarly, answer choice (C) is incorrect because Darwin is credited for his work on
evolution and not for the structure of DNA. So the scientists that are credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA is
given by answer choice (A), Watson and Crick.
