Which of the following scientists used X-diffraction to suggest the helical structure of DNA?

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Study for the UCF PCB3063 Genetics Final Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

The scientists who used X-diffraction to suggest the helical structure of DNA were Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Their work with X-ray diffraction imagery, particularly Franklin's Photograph 51, provided crucial evidence regarding the helical nature of DNA. The patterns observed in the X-ray crystallography images indicated that DNA has a double helical structure, a finding that was integral to understanding how genetic information is stored and replicated.

Franklin's meticulous X-ray diffraction techniques allowed for the analysis of DNA's physical structure, which ultimately contributed to the formulation of the DNA model by Watson and Crick. While Watson and Crick are often credited with the discovery of the double helix, their model was heavily based on the evidence provided by Franklin and Wilkins. This collaborative aspect of scientific discovery underscores the importance of X-ray diffraction in elucidating the structure of DNA.