Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: The Life of Rosalind Franklin
The Life of Rosalind Franklin
Knowledge check
Q1. In which year was Rosalind Franklin born?
- A. 1920 ✓
- B. 1922
- C. 1925
- D. 1927
Why: Rosalind Franklin was born in 1920.
Q2. What was Rosalind Franklin's field of study?
- A. Chemistry
- B. Biology ✓
- C. Physics
- D. Mathematics
Why: Rosalind Franklin was a biologist, known for her work in X-ray crystallography.
Q3. Where did Rosalind Franklin complete her PhD?
- A. University of Cambridge ✓
- B. University of Oxford
- C. University of London
- D. University of Edinburgh
Why: Rosalind Franklin completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge.
Q4. Which of the following was NOT a major contribution of Rosalind Franklin?
- A. X-ray diffraction images of DNA
- B. Discovery of the DNA double helix structure ✓
- C. Work on the structure of viruses
- D. Contributions to the understanding of carbon structures
Why: The discovery of the DNA double helix structure is credited to James Watson and Francis Crick, not Rosalind Franklin.
Q5. What was the name of the X-ray diffraction image of DNA that Rosalind Franklin produced?
- A. Photo 51 ✓
- B. Photo 42
- C. Photo 63
- D. Photo 31
Why: The X-ray diffraction image of DNA produced by Rosalind Franklin was named Photo 51.
Module 2
Module 2: The Discovery of DNA's Structure
The Discovery of DNA's Structure
Module 3
Module 3: X-Ray Crystallography and DNA
X-Ray Crystallography and DNA
Knowledge check
Q1. Who was responsible for taking the famous X-ray diffraction image of DNA known as Photograph 51?
- A. James Watson
- B. Rosalind Franklin ✓
- C. Francis Crick
- D. Maurice Wilkins
Why: Rosalind Franklin was the scientist who took Photograph 51, which provided critical evidence for the structure of DNA.
Q2. What technique did Rosalind Franklin use to study the structure of DNA?
- A. Electron microscopy
- B. X-ray crystallography ✓
- C. DNA sequencing
- D. Polymerase chain reaction
Why: X-ray crystallography was the technique used by Rosalind Franklin to study DNA's structure.
Q3. What was the significance of Photograph 51 in the discovery of DNA's structure?
- A. It showed the sequence of DNA bases
- B. It revealed the double-helix structure of DNA ✓
- C. It identified the function of DNA
- D. It proved DNA was the genetic material
Why: Photograph 51 provided visual evidence of the double-helix structure of DNA, which was crucial for Watson and Crick's model.
Q4. Which scientist shared Rosalind Franklin's lab space and had access to her data?
- A. James Watson
- B. Francis Crick
- C. Maurice Wilkins ✓
- D. Erwin Chargaff
Why: Maurice Wilkins was in the same lab as Rosalind Franklin and had access to her X-ray diffraction data.
Q5. What was the role of X-ray crystallography in determining DNA's structure?
- A. It identified the chemical composition of DNA
- B. It allowed scientists to see the three-dimensional shape of DNA ✓
- C. It was used to replicate DNA
- D. It helped in sequencing DNA
Why: X-ray crystallography enabled scientists to visualize the three-dimensional structure of DNA, which was essential for understanding its function.
Module 4
Module 4: The Role of Women in Science
The Role of Women in Science
Module 5
Module 5: DNA and Molecular Biology
DNA and Molecular Biology
Knowledge check
Q1. Who is credited with taking the X-ray diffraction images of DNA that were crucial to determining its structure?
- A. James Watson
- B. Rosalind Franklin ✓
- C. Francis Crick
- D. Maurice Wilkins
Why: Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images, particularly Photo 51, provided critical evidence for the double-helix structure of DNA.
Q2. What was the name of the X-ray diffraction image that provided key evidence for the DNA structure?
- A. Photo 51 ✓
- B. Photo 45
- C. Photo 32
- D. Photo 67
Why: Photo 51 was the X-ray diffraction image taken by Rosalind Franklin that showed the helical structure of DNA.
Q3. Which of the following scientists did NOT win the Nobel Prize for their work on DNA?
- A. James Watson
- B. Francis Crick
- C. Rosalind Franklin ✓
- D. Maurice Wilkins
Why: Rosalind Franklin did not win the Nobel Prize for her work on DNA, likely due to her death before the award was given and her contributions not being fully recognized at the time.
Q4. What was the primary contribution of Rosalind Franklin to the discovery of DNA's structure?
- A. She proposed the double-helix model
- B. She took high-quality X-ray diffraction images ✓
- C. She isolated DNA from cells
- D. She sequenced the DNA
Why: Rosalind Franklin's high-quality X-ray diffraction images were essential in confirming the double-helix structure of DNA.
Q5. In what year did Rosalind Franklin pass away?
- A. 1953
- B. 1962
- C. 1965
- D. 1967 ✓
Why: Rosalind Franklin passed away in 1967, several years before the Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery of DNA's structure.
Module 6
Module 6: Ethics in Scientific Discovery
Ethics in Scientific Discovery
Knowledge check
Q1. What ethical issue did Rosalind Franklin face during her research on DNA?
- A. Lack of proper laboratory equipment
- B. Gender discrimination in the scientific community ✓
- C. Inadequate funding for her research
- D. Limited access to scientific journals
Why: Rosalind Franklin faced significant gender discrimination in the scientific community, which impacted her recognition and opportunities for collaboration.
Q2. Who was primarily responsible for the unauthorized use of Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images?
- A. James Watson
- B. Francis Crick
- C. Maurice Wilkins ✓
- D. Rosalind Franklin herself
Why: Maurice Wilkins was primarily responsible for the unauthorized use of Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images, which contributed to the discovery of the DNA structure.
Q3. What was the significance of Photo 51 in the discovery of DNA's structure?
- A. It showed the chemical composition of DNA
- B. It provided critical evidence of DNA's helical structure ✓
- C. It revealed the function of DNA in cells
- D. It demonstrated the replication process of DNA
Why: Photo 51 provided critical evidence of DNA's helical structure, which was essential in determining its double-helix model.
Q4. How did Rosalind Franklin's contributions to DNA research impact her career?
- A. She received immediate recognition and awards
- B. She was overlooked for major scientific awards ✓
- C. She became a leading figure in molecular biology
- D. She was invited to collaborate with Watson and Crick
Why: Rosalind Franklin's contributions were largely overlooked during her lifetime, and she was not awarded the Nobel Prize, which was given to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
Q5. What ethical principle was violated when Franklin's work was used without her knowledge?
- A. Transparency
- B. Consent ✓
- C. Accuracy
- D. Honesty
Why: The ethical principle of consent was violated when Franklin's work was used without her knowledge or approval.
Module 7
Module 7: Legacy and Impact of Franklin's Work
Legacy and Impact of Franklin's Work