Definition

1. Noun:
   • The molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a long, complex molecule found in the nucleus of cells, composed of nucleotides arranged in a double helix structure. It contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Scientists extracted deoxyribonucleic acid from the ancient bone sample.
  • The sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid determines an individual's inherited traits.

Advanced Usage

• "To sequence deoxyribonucleic acid": to determine the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.
  • The project aims to sequence the deoxyribonucleic acid of the entire population.
• "Deoxyribonucleic acid evidence": forensic material derived from DNA analysis.
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid evidence was crucial in solving the cold case.

Variants and Related Words

• DNA (n): The common abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.
  • The DNA test confirmed paternity.
• Double helix (n): The characteristic structure of the DNA molecule.
  • Watson and Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA.

Synonyms

• Genetic material: The general term for molecules, including DNA, that store genetic information.
• Genome: The complete set of DNA in an organism.

Related Phrases

• Deoxyribonucleic acid profiling: The process of determining an individual's DNA characteristics.
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid profiling is a standard tool in forensic science.
• Deoxyribonucleic acid replication: The biological process of producing two identical replicas of DNA from one original molecule.
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid replication is essential for cell division.

Noun

1. (biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix; associated with the transmission of genetic information
   • DNA is the king of molecules