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Year 7 - Science

The discovery of the structure of DNA

Heredity and DNA

Unit Summary

This unit examines the transmission of genetic information through heredity, how scientific methods evolve with new evidence, the importance of publishing and peer review, and the Study of DNA, chromosomes, and genes while developing lab skills focusing on safety.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how scientists collected evidence and shared findings to develop a model to describe the structure of DNA.

Key Notes

  • DNA was discovered in 1869, but scientists did not work out its structure until 1953.
  • Scientists collected evidence and shared findings to develop a model to describe the structure of DNA.
  • Rosalind Franklin's team in London used X-rays to produce an image of a DNA molecule in1952.
  • Maurice Wilkins from Franklin's group showed the picture to James Watson from Cambridge.
  • Watson and Francis Crick used the picture evidence to complete a model to describe the double helix structure of DNA.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • DNA: DNA is the chemical substance that genetic material is made out of; it stores the genetic code.
  • X-ray: An X-ray is a form of radiation that can be used for creating images.
  • double helix: DNA has a double helix structure made from two chains in a spiral.
  • genome: The genome is all of the genetic material of a cell.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

DNA was discovered in 1869, but scientists did not work out its structure until 1953. Scientists collected evidence and shared findings to develop a model to describe the structure of DNA.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'DNA'

DNA is the chemical substance that genetic material is made out of; it stores the genetic code. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick. Correction: The lesson explores the work of various scientists in developing our understanding of DNA, including Rosalind Franklin.

More Lessons In This Unit

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