Whats the big whoop with the 'double helix'?

Question

This is in regards to DNA. Why would you say that it was a great find for scientists and how has it helped science in general?

Answer 1

It readily explained the molecular basis of genetics and heredity, and offered support at the molecular level for evolution.

Answer 2

Well, it is pretty amazing, and well worth the big whoop. You see, people knew that DNA was somehow related to storing and transmitting genetic information, but they had no idea how it did this. Scientists had deduced that DNA was composed of 4 different nucleotides connected by a phosphate backbone but it still didnt answer the central dogma in science - how does life recreate itself? how does this DNA replicate? When Watson and Crick elucidated the structure of the double helix the answer became clear. The double helix shape clearly shows that the base pairs are complementary - they pair up in a specific way that allows one strand of DNA on its own to act as a template for another. Pretty exciting stuff

hope this helps

Answer 3

The big whoop about the double helix DNA is because firstly, it was DIFFICULT to determine its structure with the instruments and models at the time. It was known some proteins are in pleated sheets, coils and single helix and "balls pr globular shaped" but never as a double helix. I know for some of the younger generation take this as "ho-hum" in the age of fast computers and 3-D modeling but it took many years to even come up with the basic elemental structure, then the bondings involved, for one thing, the helices are not bound by "real" bonds but by hydrogen bondings, then the constancy of pairings (why? and wow!) and finally the three -dimensional shape.

Ok so you have the structure and shape, what's next. The next big whoop is that the DNA is The BIG DIRECTOR of cell functions from increase in number and size to the creation of proteins, which at that time was not fully understood. Now we understand why some chemicals or substances are produced and where.

And finally the big whoop is that the knowledge of DNA has great implications in understanding human biochemical functions and processes, like hormone production and regulation, implications in understanding diseases, its cause and prevention, etc., etc., etc, and finally procreation itself!

Answer 4

1. identifying the structure explains how DNA is stored in the cell without making too many "mistakes" during replication.

2. The structure supports the theory that half of your genetic material comes from your father and half from your mother (previously, scientists thought we were literally mixing mom and dad's blood together to get children)

3. By knowing the structure of DNA, we know how it replicates (semi conservatively) by sticking a fluorescent "tag" on one side of the DNA and watching for the tag to show up on the next generation of DNA

4. We know now how proteins are made (The Central Dogma)and it allows us to study molecular biology- gene mapping, cloning, how genes are read etc. We wouldnt be able to do any of this if we didnt know that DNA is a double helix.

Answer 5

The helix IS the structure of DNA. Now that we understand DNA we know the code for creating organic life. Its like finding God's "Introduction to C++" manual!

Answer 6

Now that we know what DNA looks like and how its codeing system works, we can manipulate to make genetically modified organisms, bring us closer to understanding diseases that are geneticall inherited, understand how our body regulates its chemistry, how organisms are related and their evolution, Just about every major question asked today in the biological sciences has implications to knowing the structure and function of regions of DNA. pick your subject or interest and surely DNA will play a major role in understanding that interest.

Answer 7

Hmm. good question. Why is are DNA curved by helicase into a double helix?

Answer 8

I think the biggest whoop - as you call it - was that it provided proof to heredity - and showed us how proteins are synthesized in cells.

Answer 9

well its managed to connect all life on the planet, is helping to cure disease, cure world hunger (GE crops)...stuff like that