Who is the British biophysicist whose X-ray diffraction work on DNA established the double-helix structure of DNA?

Who is the British biophysicist whose X-ray diffraction work on DNA established the double-helix structure of DNA?

• A. Rosalind Franklin
• B. Maurice Wilkins
• C. James Watson
• D. Francis Crick

Answer: (A)

Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray diffraction work provided the crucial evidence that DNA is a helix. Her high-quality diffraction images, especially the pattern that forms an X, clearly indicated a regular, spiral structure and helped establish the helix’s dimensions. This direct data gave Watson and Crick the essential clues to build the double-helix model, with Wilkins contributing as a collaborator but Franklin supplying the key diffraction information. So the British biophysicist whose X-ray diffraction work established the double-helix structure is Rosalind Franklin.

Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray diffraction work provided the crucial evidence that DNA is a helix. Her high-quality diffraction images, especially the pattern that forms an X, clearly indicated a regular, spiral structure and helped establish the helix’s dimensions. This direct data gave Watson and Crick the essential clues to build the double-helix model, with Wilkins contributing as a collaborator but Franklin supplying the key diffraction information. So the British biophysicist whose X-ray diffraction work established the double-helix structure is Rosalind Franklin.