View source for Double helix

:''For other meanings of double helix, see [[Double helix (disambiguation)]]''
[[Image:VaticanMuseumStaircase.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A [[staircase]] in the shape of a double helix, in the [[Vatican Museum]]]]
[[Image:Dna-split.png|thumb|right|200px|Image of a DNA chain which shows the double helix replicating itself]]
In [[geometry]] a '''double helix''' (plural ''helices'') typically consists of two [[congruence (geometry)|congruent]] [[helix|helices]] with the same axis, differing by a [[translation (physics)|translation]] along the axis, which may or may not be half-way.<ref>[http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/DoubleHelix/ "Double Helix"] by Sándor Kabai, [[The Wolfram Demonstrations Project]], 2007.</ref>

It was first published that the double helix is the structure of DNA by [[James D. Watson]] and [[Francis Crick]] in 1953, based on work by [[Rosalind Franklin]].<ref> [http://dnareplication.info/dnadoublehelix.php Double Helix] by George Kakaris, Biologist MSc in Applied Genetics and Biotechnology </ref> 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.

==References==
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== See also ==
* [[Nucleic acid]]
* ''[[Molecular structure of Nucleic Acids]]''

[[Category:Helices]]
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[[es:Doble hélice]]
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[[ja:二重らせん]]
[[pl:Podwójna helisa]]
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[[uk:Подвійна спіраль]]
[[zh:双螺旋形]]
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