Question

Which technique did Rosalind Franklin use to determine many of the physical characteristics of DNA?

a) X-ray crystallography
b) Electron microscopy
c) Fluorescence microscopy
d) Gel electrophoresis

Answer 1

Rosalind Franklin used X-ray crystallography to understand the physical characteristics of DNA, contributing to the discovery of its double helix structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rosalind Franklin utilized the technique of X-ray crystallography to uncover many physical characteristics of DNA. This method proved instrumental in determining the double helix structure of DNA. Franklin's precise measurements of X-ray diffraction images allowed James Watson and Francis Crick to confirm DNA's helical structure and deduce details of its size and structural configuration. Furthermore, her discovery of two forms of DNA, based on wet and dried samples, added critical insights into the molecular architecture of DNA, contributing significantly to the foundational knowledge in molecular biology.