Final answer:
James Watson and Francis Crick are known for proposing the double-helix structure of DNA in the 1950s, leading to advances in genetics and biotechnology. Their work was informed by Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images of DNA. The correct answer is c) Proposed the double-helix structure of DNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
James Watson and Francis Crick are renowned for their groundbreaking work in the field of genetics. In the 1950s, at the University of Cambridge, they proposed the double-helix structure of DNA, a discovery that revolutionized biological sciences. Their landmark discovery was greatly informed by the X-ray diffraction images of DNA produced by Rosalind Franklin. As a result, they were able to elucidate the specific structure of DNA, which is critical for understanding how genetic information is stored and replicated in living organisms. Without Watson and Crick's contribution, many modern biotechnologies would not exist. For instance, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technique used to amplify DNA sequences, relies heavily on the understanding of DNA's double-helix structure for its function. PCR has various applications, including genetic fingerprinting, diagnosis of hereditary diseases, paternity testing, and detection of infectious diseases. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is c) Proposed the double-helix structure of DNA. It is through their insights that we have been able to make significant advancements in medical sciences and biotechnology.