Scientists James Watson and Francis Crick Determined the Double Helix

question 52

Multiple Choice

Scientists James Watson and Francis Crick determined the double helix structure of DNA. Why is that structure important in DNA replication?

• A) Because DNA is double, it's already evenly split, so it ends up being the same in every replicated cell.
• B) When the cell splits, the DNA is twisted together, so it doesn't easily come apart during replication.
• C) When the DNA separates into two halves during replication, each half is a mirror image of the other, so the new halves fit right back together again in the new cell.
• D) Because each base can only pair with a particular other base, even when the DNA splits, the bases will always match up the same way as it reforms.
• E) The structure is like a ladder, so it's easy for new cellular material to "climb" the ladder to reform in a new cell.