DNA

25.1 DNA - a History and Defining its Structure

In this lesson, you will learn about the discovery of DNA as the essential molecule of life. Along the way, key experiments and scientists proved instrumental in developing our understanding of it's chemical composition: Friedrich Miescher, Frederick Griffith, Alfred Hershey, Martha Chase, Rosilind Franklin, Francis Crick, James Watson, and Linus Pauling.

Pay close attention to the key experiments that provided our understanding of DNA structure and function, particularly:

The Griffith's Experiment

Hershey-Chase Experiment

Watson-Crick Model of DNA

Rosilind Franklin's X-Ray Diffraction

Instructions - complete the following

1. Read Inquiry into Life text pg 501-504 or Digital Book p101-106

2. Lessons

DNA History & Structure

Organization of DNA in the Nucleus

3. Notes

4. Download - C25 Work Package

5. Watch - DNA vs RNA with the Amoeba Sisters

6. Review the following animations

Build a DNA Molecule (interactivity)

Medical Animation of DNA

Griffith's Experiment in 88 seconds

The Hershey Chase Experiment (Radio-active Viruses) Prove DNA is Genetic Stuff

Watson & Crick's Model of DNA (9 mins)

Video - Rosilind Franklin's X-Ray Crystallography of DNA

7. Nucleic Acids