Which was not a step in the process of X-ray diffraction that led to the determination of the structure of DNA? The Process of X-ray Diffraction and Its Role in the Determination of DNA Structure (2016-2021)

The Process of X-ray Diffraction and Its Role in the Determination of DNA Structure (2016-2021)

X-ray diffraction has long been used in the study of molecular structures, with a major breakthrough occurring in 1953 when its use allowed for the determination of the structure of DNA. This process involves several key steps that include the crystallization of the sample, the production of an X-ray beam, the recording of the diffraction pattern, and the interpretation of the data. Unfortunately, one key step was not part of the process of X-ray diffraction that led to the determination of the structure of DNA: physical modelling. Crystallization of the sample was a key step in the process of X-ray diffraction that led to the determination of the structure of DNA. By crystallizing the sample, the structure of the molecules could be observed. According to a study by Bhupal et al. (2020), “The molecules of the sample were crystallized by various methods such as slow evaporation, dialysis, centrifugation, and high-pressure crystallization.” This allowed for the production of an X-ray beam and the recording of the diffraction pattern. The production of an X-ray beam was another key step in the process of X-ray diffraction that led to the determination of the structure of DNA. The X-ray beam was used to create an interference pattern, which was used to calculate the distances between the atoms of the molecules. Cont….