Who figured genetics out? That is to say, who dove deeper?

        Hiya, people. I hope I find you well. Today we're going to learn about people who weren't afraid to dive deeper than anyone into the mysteries of genetics.  The lucky contestants who studied genetics are: Francis Crick, James Watson, Severo Ochoa, and Barbara McClintock. I have to admit, they've got pretty cool names. But that's not why they're important. Far from it (though you may believe otherwise). Now, if you're interested, let's get started.
        Francis Harry Compton Crick was born June 8th, 1986. James Dewey Watson was born on April 6th, 1928.


James Watson (left) and Francis Crick (right)



Cartoon of Francis Crick and James Watson

  
         They were partners, and they discovered the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) double-helix.



Double-Helix



         That's how they contributed. They discovered that thing up there, and without them, we wouldn't know what it looks like! That double-helix appeared in the scientific paper on April, 1953, where James and Francis showed the structure of the DNA helix, the molecule that passes genetics from one generation to the next. Francis Crick died on July 28th, 2004, of cancer. James Watson is still living today.

        FUN FACT: The first time Francis Crick and James Watson tried to build the DNA structure, it didn't work.
        FUN FACT: Francis Crick has a brother, who is a doctor in New Zealand. He was going to get his Ph.D, but  the war interrupted him. 
        FUN FACT: James Watson wrote several papers on the construction of the virus. He likes bird watching, and he has never married.
        Next up, Severo Ochoa. He's got a cool name. Severo Ochoa was born on September 24th, 1905. He's a bit older than Francis and James, but it's fine. Severo Ochoa contributed to genetics with the genetic code. The genetic code is 64 triplets of nucleotides. Nucleotides form the basic structural units of nucleic acids, like DNA.  



The Nucleotides of DNA



        Anyway, the triplets are called codons. In 1931, Severo married Carmen Garcia Cobian. He died November 1st, 1993.
        FUN FACT: Seveo Ochoa was a Hispanic scientist, and the youngest of seven children.

 

Severo Ochoa



        Last but not least (because she's a girl), Barbara McClintock. Now, in my opinion, she's the best, but not because she's a girl or anything, and that makes her superior, but because...well, she's a girl, and that makes her superior. It makes her superior, not only because she's a girl, but because science was thought to be beyond woman's abilities, even though woman had a lot to do with some of it, like the discoverer of radioactivity Barbara McClintock was born June 6th, 1902. Her contribution to genetics  was the genetic transposition. She also helped us a little in understanding chromosome structure.



Young Barbara McClintock



Old Barbara McClintock



        Um, if you wanna know, genetic transposition is 'the ability of genes to change positions on chromosomes, in which a transposable element is removed from one site and inserted into a second site in the DNA'. I got that definition at http://www.medterms.com/. Anyway, Barbara McClintock died on September 2nd, 1992.
        FUN FACT: Barbara McClintock began her interest in genetics when she was an undergraduate. 

        So, out of the four people we talked about today, one is still alive. That's kinda sad. I hope you enjoyed, and I ask you guys for no haters...on any of my classmate's bogs. Okay? Good. Speaking of my classmate's blogs, if you wanna know/learn more, please go to their blogs. As always, the links are below. Stay tuned!
SuperSara's Blog
youngro-jalenguy's blog
Katie's Blog
Kevin's Blog