HAIRPIN LOOP Meaning and
Definition
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A hairpin loop refers to a specific structural element found in nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, and is characterized by its distinctive shape that resembles a hairpin or a bent hairpin. This loop is formed when a single-stranded region of the nucleic acid double helix folds back on itself, creating a U-shaped structure. It consists of a stem and a loop.
The stem of a hairpin loop is composed of complementary base pairs, where nucleotides on one strand form hydrogen bonds with their complementary nucleotides on the opposite strand. This base pairing allows the stem to maintain stability and structural integrity. The length of the stem can vary, ranging from a few base pairs to several dozen base pairs.
The loop, on the other hand, is a single-stranded segment that connects the two arms of the hairpin stem. It is termed as a loop due to its unpaired or non-complementary bases that form a protruding structure. The length of the loop can differ significantly, ranging from a few nucleotides to several hundreds.
Hairpin loops play a crucial role in various biological processes. They can be involved in the regulation of gene expression, where they can act as binding sites for proteins or other molecules, thus influencing the transcription or translation of genes. Additionally, hairpin loops can affect the stability of RNA molecules, provide structural diversity within nucleic acids, and even participate in the formation of secondary structures such as RNA secondary structures or DNA G-quadruplexes.
Common Misspellings for HAIRPIN LOOP
- gairpin loop
- bairpin loop
- nairpin loop
- jairpin loop
- uairpin loop
- yairpin loop
- hzirpin loop
- hsirpin loop
- hwirpin loop
- hqirpin loop
- haurpin loop
- hajrpin loop
- hakrpin loop
- haorpin loop
- ha9rpin loop
- ha8rpin loop
- haiepin loop
- haidpin loop
- haifpin loop
- haitpin loop
Etymology of HAIRPIN LOOP
The term "hairpin loop" is derived from the resemblance of a certain type of loop in molecular structures, such as DNA or RNA, to the shape of a hairpin or a bobby pin used to hold hair in place. The loop structure folds back on itself, forming a double-stranded stem and a loop-shaped segment, thus resembling the shape of a pin or a hairpin. The name "hairpin loop" emerged due to this visual similarity.
