Who is credited with discovering the double helix structure of DNA?

The double helix structure of DNA is credited to James Watson and Francis Crick, who made this groundbreaking discovery in 1953. Their identification of DNA's structure was based on a combination of experimental data, including X-ray diffraction images taken by Rosalind Franklin and the chemical understanding of nucleotide pairings that were known at the time.

Watson and Crick proposed that DNA is structured as a double helix, where two strands twist around each other. This model explains how genetic information is stored and transmitted, as the specific pairing of nucleotide bases (adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine) allows for accurate replication of the DNA molecule during cell division. Their work significantly advanced the field of molecular biology and genetics, leading to a better understanding of heredity and the mechanisms of life.

While the contributions of Hershey and Chase were crucial in establishing DNA as the genetic material and Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction work was critical in elucidating the helical structure, it is Watson and Crick's model that directly describes the double helix form of DNA, which is why they are credited for this specific discovery.