What might Watson and Crick have concluded had Chargaff's data from a single source indicated the following? A T G C % 29 19 21 31 Why would this conclusion be contradictory to Wilkins's and Franklin's data?

Key Concepts

Chargaff's Rules

Chargaff's Rules state that in DNA, the amount of adenine (A) equals thymine (T), and the amount of guanine (G) equals cytosine (C). This base pairing is crucial for understanding the structure of DNA, as it suggests a complementary relationship between the bases, which is fundamental to the double helix model proposed by Watson and Crick.

DNA Structure

The structure of DNA is a double helix formed by two strands of nucleotides running in opposite directions, with complementary base pairing between A-T and G-C. This structural arrangement is essential for DNA replication and function, and any deviation from the expected base pairing ratios would challenge the validity of the double helix model.

Wilkins and Franklin's Data

Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins conducted X-ray diffraction studies that provided critical insights into the helical structure of DNA. Their data suggested a consistent pattern of base pairing and spacing, which would be contradicted if Chargaff's data indicated an unequal ratio of bases, undermining the proposed double helix model and the complementary nature of DNA.