Illustration of DNA
- A molecular model
- 1 hydrogen
- 2 oxygen
- 3 carbon in the helical phosphate ester chains
- 4 carbon and nitrogen in the cross-linked purine and pyrimidine bases
- 5 phosphorus
- B double helix
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (see base entry 1 sense 6b) which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei compare recombinant dna
Examples of DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, investigators compared evidence from the murders directly to a buccal swab containing Jackson’s DNA.
—
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 20 June 2024
In Morin’s case, CODIS was used to match DNA found at the scene of the Bel Air homicide to DNA found at a scene in Los Angeles, where a 9-year-old girl and her mother were assaulted during a home invasion.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024
On June 9, detectives collected DNA evidence belonging to Gligor and compared it to the DNA recovered from the crime scene.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 19 June 2024
Share [Findings] Electric eel discharge transforms the DNA of zebrafish larvae.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA 
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 20 June 2024
In Morin’s case, CODIS was used to match DNA found at the scene of the Bel Air homicide to DNA found at a scene in Los Angeles, where a 9-year-old girl and her mother were assaulted during a home invasion.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024
On June 9, detectives collected DNA evidence belonging to Gligor and compared it to the DNA recovered from the crime scene.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 19 June 2024
Share [Findings] Electric eel discharge transforms the DNA of zebrafish larvae.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'DNA.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are located especially in cell nuclei, are usually the chemical basis of heredity, and are composed of two nucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds in a pattern resembling a flexible twisted ladder compare rna
Medical Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei
called also deoxyribonucleic acid
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