DNAThe DNA spiral is a Golden SectionThe DNA molecule, the program for all life, is based on the golden section. It measures 34 angstroms long by 21 angstroms wide for each full cycle of its double helix spiral.
34 and 21, of course, are numbers in the Fibonacci series and their ratio, 1.6190476 closely approximates phi, 1.6180339. The DNA cross-section is based on PhiA cross-sectional view from the top of the DNA double helix forms a decagon:
A decagon is in essence two pentagons, with one rotated by 36 degrees from the other, so each spiral of the double helix must trace out the shape of a pentagon.
The ratio of the diagonal of a pentagon to its side is Φ to 1. So, no matter which way you look at it, even in its smallest element, DNA, and life, is constructed using phi and the golden section! |
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