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DNA

DNA

897 3.2
A long molecule in cells that carries genetic information for living things
  • noun
  • /diːˌɛnˈeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ADN
  • The scientist extracted DNA from the ancient bones to study the species' evolution.
  • DNA sequence
  • DNA sample
  • DNA extraction

Why would you want to cut DNA to do anything?

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Examples

  • How does mitochondrial DNA fit into all of this?

  • We're talking about editing Norm's DNA so he has blue eyes.

  • You can do the same thing with DNA, and we should.

  • And in order to have DNA, you have to make DNA.

  • I got a decent DNA sample from the blood on the window.

  • Upon contact with the receiver, the bacteria release the DNA message to the destination.

    Academic text (2011)
  • They have their own DNA, their own genome.

  • The technique used to look for ancient DNA is extremely sensitive to contamination.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Genes are stretches of DNA that code for proteins.

  • When patients have blood drawn, especially for DNA sequencing, the sample may be preserved for future research.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

deoxyribonucleic acid
vsDNA
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A long molecule in cells that carries information about how living things grow and look

refers to the molecule in living organisms without saying almost all
5.6

A long chemical in cells that carries information about how living things grow and work

is the standard modern form of the same name

Compounds

junk DNA
  • Specialized
4 6.3

Parts of DNA that do not make proteins and whose function is mostly unknown

recombinant DNA
  • Specialized
2 5.8

A piece of DNA made by joining genes from different living things

DNA fingerprint
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A unique pattern in a person's DNA that identifies them

DNA polymerase
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A protein that makes new DNA strands using an existing strand as a guide during cell division

1 6.6

Methods used in a lab to join DNA from different living things to make new gene combinations

plasmid DNA
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A small circular piece of DNA in cells that copies itself separately from the cell's main DNA

coding DNA
  • Specialized
5.2

Part of a gene's DNA that tells a cell how to make a protein

complementary DNA
  • Specialized
5.7

A single-stranded DNA made from messenger RNA that shows which genes are active

Computer system that stores people's DNA profiles so police can find matches in criminal cases

DNA chip
  • Specialized
4.3

A small device with many pieces of DNA that tests genes in samples

junk DNA
  • Informal
4.6

Unneeded parts of a system, such as old code or data, that should be removed

noncoding DNA
  • Specialized
6.0

Parts of DNA that do not make proteins and help control when genes work

Surface Forms

DNA singular
DNAs plural

Etymology

DNA comes from the chemical name deoxyribonucleic acid, where deoxy- means 'without oxygen', ribo- refers to a sugar, nucleic means 'from the nucleus', and acid means 'an acid'. So DNA is the special chemical in a cell's nucleus that holds the instructions or 'code' for how a living thing grows and works.