SUPERHELICAL DNA Meaning and
Definition
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Superhelical DNA refers to the structure of a DNA molecule that has undergone twisting and coiling, resulting in a compact and tightly wound shape. It is a form of DNA topology wherein the double helix is twisted upon itself, creating a helical arrangement of helices. This supercoiling occurs when the DNA molecule is subjected to a force that causes it to twist and store mechanical energy.
When a DNA molecule is supercoiled, the two strands of the double helix coil around each other in a more compact manner than the standard B-form DNA. This coiling generates tension and strain within the molecule. Superhelical DNA can exist in two forms: positive and negative supercoiling. In positive supercoiling, the DNA coils in the same direction as the overall helical structure, while in negative supercoiling, the DNA coils in the opposite direction.
Supercoiling of DNA plays a crucial role in various biological processes. It allows for efficient packaging of the long DNA molecule within the confined space of the cell's nucleus. Superhelical DNA is commonly found in circular DNA molecules, including bacterial and plasmid DNA, as well as in certain regions of linear DNA in eukaryotic chromosomes. It also influences DNA replication, transcription, recombination, and other cellular functions that involve the unwinding and manipulation of DNA strands.
Overall, superhelical DNA is an important structural feature of DNA molecules that contributes to their stability, compactness, and involvement in cellular processes.
Common Misspellings for SUPERHELICAL DNA
- auperhelical dna
- zuperhelical dna
- xuperhelical dna
- duperhelical dna
- euperhelical dna
- wuperhelical dna
- syperhelical dna
- shperhelical dna
- sjperhelical dna
- siperhelical dna
- s8perhelical dna
- s7perhelical dna
- suoerhelical dna
- sulerhelical dna
- su-erhelical dna
- su0erhelical dna
- supwrhelical dna
- supsrhelical dna
- supdrhelical dna
- suprrhelical dna
Etymology of SUPERHELICAL DNA
The word "Superhelical DNA" has its etymology rooted in the combination of two distinct concepts: "Supercoil" and "DNA".
1. Supercoil: The term "Supercoil" originated from the combination of "super-" (meaning above, beyond, or surpassing) and "coil". "Coil" stems from the Middle French word "coillir", meaning "to gather or collect". In the context of DNA, "Supercoil" refers to the coiling or twisting of the DNA molecule upon itself, resulting in a more compact and complex structure.
2. DNA: The term "DNA" is an abbreviation for "Deoxyribonucleic acid". Its etymology begins with "deoxy-", indicating the lack of an oxygen atom compared to "ribose", the sugar component of RNA.
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