Introducing
Rosalind Elsie
Franklin
Who is Roaslind Elsie
Franklin?
• Rosalind Elsie Franklin was born in London in
1920 into a well-educated family. From an early
age, Franklin showed a love for science and
pursued chemistry at Cambridge University,
where she began developing her research skills.
• She was an English chemist and X-ray
crystallographer whose research played a vital
role in understanding the structure of DNA. She
is remembered as a brilliant scientist whose
contributions were not fully recognized during
DISCOVERYS
Roaslind Elsie Franklin made a major
contribution to the discovery of the
structure of DNA. By using X-ray
diffraction, she was able to take very
clear pictures of DNA fibers. Her most
famous image, “Photograph 51,” showed
that DNA had a double-helix structure.
This evidence was used by Watson and
Crick to build their model of DNA.
Skills she used
• Observation: Rosalind paid attention to fine details in her X-ray photos. She
noticed patterns and lines that other scientists might have missed, which gave
her clues about DNA’s structure.
• Experimentation: She set up experiments using X-ray diffraction, a technique
where X-rays are shone on crystals of DNA. The way the rays scattered
created pictures she could study.
• Analytical Thinking: She didn’t just take the photos—she studied the angles,
shapes, and shadows in them to figure out what the DNA molecule
looked like inside.
• Patience and Precision: Her work took time and accuracy. She had to
repeat tests many times, carefully record her results, and make sure
Why It’s
Important
Rosalind Franklin’s work showed that DNA has a double-helix
structure, which means it looks like a twisted ladder. This
shape explained how DNA could store genetic information and
how it could copy itself when cells divide. Because of this,
scientists understood for the first time how traits, like eye
color or height, are passed from parents to children.
Her discovery was one of the biggest breakthroughs of the
20th century. It led to many new fields of science, such as
genetics, molecular biology, and medicine. Thanks to her
work, doctors and researchers can now study genetic
diseases, develop new treatments, and even use DNA in
technology like forensi
Her Legacy and Untimely Death
She died in 1958 at the age of 37 from
ovarian cancer. Many scientists believe
her long exposure to X-rays during
experiments may have increased her risk
of getting cancer. Sadly, Franklin did not
receive much credit during her life, but
today she is celebrated worldwide as a
pioneer of DNA research and an
inspiration for women in science.
This presentation is by
Linta .I
Emaan .W
Roha .Z
Fatima .A
