Martha Cowles Chase Encyclopedia Article

Martha Cowles Chase

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Martha Cowles Chase

1927-

American scientist who, with Alfred Hershey (1908– ) made important discoveries about the nature of DNA, paving the way for modern molecular biology. In 1952 Chase and Hershey proved that viral DNA, not the protein capsule (called the capsid) that surrounds it, carries the genetic code in all living things. Their discovery spurred more research in the field, and was followed one year later by Watson and Crick's discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA.