The Secret of Photo 51 - notes PDF

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The Secret of Photo 51: Background 1. 1. 2. 3.   4. 5.

Background to DNA: Heredity in Early 20th Century heredity Gregor Mendel’s work (~1865): unit characters (not genes) William Bateson (1861-1926) coins new terms “genetics” (1906) “allele” W.L. Johannsen (1857-1927) coins the term “gene” in 1909 Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri: chromosomal theory of heredity (1903, 1904)

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Discussion of DNA: Secret of Photo 51 The scientists in the film display several different approaches to “doing science”. Write down what is notable in the approaches of (a)Rosalind Franklin science improves life, was not competitive, not about winning but the process. (b)Maurice Wilkins competitive and territorial (c)James Watson and Francis Crick very competitive, not interested in data, science was about fame and glory What does the film illustrate about the roles of women in science and in society during the mid-twentieth century? Franklin being strong sharp and an engaging person, these hampered her progress and resulted injustice to her contribution.

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Further discussion: Is science primarily a collaborative or competitive endeavour?

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Have things improved for women in science today?  Revisiting the Nature of 20th Century Science Scientific patrons  E.g. Rockefeller Foundation  E.g. US government 

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Bomb Casualty Commission understanding human heredity 1945: Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) 1947: AEC supports creation of Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) Hermann J. Muller: radiationà mutations 4. Changing Nature of Twentieth-Century Science (Recap) geographical expansion universities à government, industry new disciplines applied science e.g. radar systems, jet engine, nuclear physics, computers

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1.“Big Science” e.g. Alvin Weinberg (1960s) e.g. Derek de Solla Price: big science existed before...