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double helix

noun

, Biochemistry, Genetics.
  1. the spiral arrangement of the two complementary strands of DNA.

double helix

noun

  1. biochem the form of the molecular structure of DNA, consisting of two helical polynucleotide chains linked by hydrogen bonds and coiled around the same axis

double helix

  1. The three-dimensional structure of double-stranded DNA, in which polymeric nucleotide strands whose complementary nitrogen bases are linked by hydrogen bonds form a helical configuration. The two DNA strands are oriented in opposite directions.

double helix

  1. The shape taken by the DNA molecule . A helix is a three-dimensional spiral, like the shape of a spring or the railing on a spiral staircase. A DNA molecule consists of two helixes intertwined.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of double helix1

First recorded in 1953; term introduced by J.D. Watson and F.H.C. Crick

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Example Sentences

These drugs interfere with the double helix zip-unzip-zip-again process of RNA and DNA replication.

This process, known as epigenetics, involves the addition of small chemical tags known as methyl groups to the DNA double helix.

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