Question

What was the shape of the diffraction pattern of DNA that made them conclude that it was a Double-helix?

Answer 1

The diffraction pattern was as an X

Step-by-step explanation:

Rosalind Franklin was an X-ray crystallographer who discovered that the DNA molecule existed in a helical conformation. She used X-ray diffraction to determine that the pattern of the DNA molecule was as an X, thus showing that the DNA molecule formed a spiral (i.e., a double helix), which was key in helping Watson and Crick to elucidate the structure of the DNA molecule. Otherwise, if DNA would be a lineal molecule, it would be seen as two dots under X-ray diffraction.