:''For other meanings of double helix, see
Double helix (disambiguation)''
The blue strand is one helix, and the red strand is another, together they form a double helix
Image of a DNA chain which shows the double helix replicating itself
In
geometry a 'double helix' (plural ''helices'') typically consists of two
congruent helices with the same axis, differing by a
translation along the axis, which may or may not be half-way.
In modern
popular culture, the double helix shape is strongly associated with
DNA. That the double helix is the structure of DNA was first published by
James D. Watson and
Francis Crick in 1953, based on work by
Rosalind Franklin. The double helix shape is very strong. DNA takes this shape over a straight shape naturally for two reasons. It must be 'double' so it can reproduce itself and the helix,being intertwined, is stronger than two parallel chains because pulling it in any one direction won't break it apart.
See also
★
Nucleic acid
★ ''
Molecular structure of Nucleic Acids''
External links
★
Double Helix shoe lacing process
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