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Pauling

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Linus Pauling was a renowned chemist and biochemist who made significant contributions to the understanding of chemical bonds and molecular structures, including those in DNA. His work laid the groundwork for future discoveries in DNA structure and function.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Linus Pauling proposed the alpha helix structure of proteins, which influenced subsequent studies on DNA structure.
  2. Pauling's incorrect triple-helix model of DNA spurred Watson and Crick to develop the accurate double-helix model.
  3. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 for his research on the nature of chemical bonds.
  4. Pauling's work emphasized the importance of molecular biology in understanding genetics.
  5. His advocacy for peace also earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962, making him one of the few people to win two unshared Nobel Prizes.

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