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Genetics & Biotechnology vocabulary · DNA, Genes and Chromosomes

Double helix

Meaning in genetics & biotechnology, with examples

nounCore term

In genetics & biotechnology, double helix means: The shape of a DNA molecule: two strands twisted around each other like a spiral staircase, with the bases forming the steps in the middle.

In Turkish: çift sarmal, ikili sarmal

How it is used

Used in teaching, popular science and structural biology. The structure was first described in 1953. During replication and transcription the two strands 'unwind' or 'separate'. The strands run in opposite directions, which is called antiparallel.

Example sentences

  1. During replication, the double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template.

  2. The discovery of the double helix explained how genetic information could be copied.

Common collocations

  • DNA double helix
  • unwind the double helix
  • structure of the double helix
  • DNADeoxyribonucleic acid: the long, double-stranded molecule that stores the genetic instructions of almost all living things, written in four chemical bases: A, T, G and C.
  • base pairTwo bases on opposite DNA strands that are held together: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. It is also the standard unit for measuring the length of DNA.
  • DNA replicationThe process by which a cell makes an exact copy of its DNA before it divides, so that each new cell receives a full set of genetic information.
  • nucleotideThe basic building block of DNA and RNA, made of a sugar, a phosphate group and one of four bases. Long chains of nucleotides form a DNA or RNA strand.

More terms: DNA, Genes and Chromosomes

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