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DNA
DNA
The Oxford Companion to the Body
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2001
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© The Oxford Companion to the Body 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information)
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DNA The abbreviation stands for
deoxyribonucleic acid, a double-stranded nucleic acid, in which the two strands twist together to form a helix. The strands consist of sugar and phosphate groups, the sugars being attached to a base —
adenine,
thymine,
guanine, or
cytosine. In DNA the bases pair to form a ladder-like structure, with adenine paired with thymine and guanine with cytosine. DNA forms the basis of inheritance in all organisms, except
viruses, the DNA code being sufficient to build and control the organism. DNA is located in the nucleus of all cells; it is the substance of the
chromosomes that separate out from the nucleus when cells divide, and it carries the
genes, each of which is a segment of a DNA molecule. A small fraction of total DNA is present in mitochondria that codes for a few mitochondrial proteins. This DNA is passed down the female line from the mitochondria contained in the ovum.
Alan W. Cuthbert
Bibliography
Watson, J. D. (1968). The double helix. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London.
See
cell;
genetics, human.
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T-DNA Integration in Arabidopsis Chromosomes. Presence and Origin of Filler DNA Sequences1[w]
Magazine article from: Plant Physiology; 12/1/2003; ; 700+ words
; To investigate the relationship between T-DNA integration and double-stranded break (DSB) repair in Arabidopsis, we studied 67 T-DNA/plant DNA junctions and 13 T-DNA/T-DNA junctions derived from...
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DNA Sequencing.
M2 Presswire; 2/3/2003; 700+ words
; ...3 February 2003-Research and Markets: DNA Sequencing(C)1994-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS...02012003 Based on a 31-question survey, DNA Sequencing is the first of six titles in...specifically examines the applications of automated DNA sequencers and DNA sequencing kits. DNA...
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 "Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)")
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DNA could identify killer, analyst says Evidence is solid in Ramsey case, prosecutor claims.(News)
Newspaper article from: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO); 8/24/2006; ; 700+ words
; ...Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News The DNA evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey case is...proclaimed neutral observer and expert on DNA analysis said Wednesday. Rock Harmon...said there's been spin regarding the DNA from two sides - those arguing for the Ramseys...
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DNA Sciences Registers 10,000 Gene Trust Participants In Less Than One Year, Recruitment Proves Successful For Genetic Research Project.
News Wire article from: Internet Wire; 7/20/2001; 700+ words
; FREMONT, CA, Jul 20, 2001 DNA Sciences, Inc. (www.dna.com), today announced that more than 10,000 individuals have registered for the DNA Sciences Gene Trust Project(SM), a large-scale consumer...
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DNA as a Programmable Viscoelastic Nanoelement
Magazine article from: Biophysical Journal; 12/1/2005; ; 700+ words
; ABSTRACT The two strands of a DNA molecule with a repetitive sequence can pair into many different...the basepairing dynamics of periodic and nearly periodic DNA. As suggested by Prschke, DNA sliding is mediated by basepairing defects (bulge loops...
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DNA Evidence Collection Procedures
Magazine article from: Law & Order; 3/1/2005; ; 700+ words
; ...1987 saliva sample from Ridgeway against DNA samples taken from the bodies of four victims...recently, in Charlotte, NC with the aid of DNA evidence, police were able to arrest a...murder cases aren't the only cases where DNA evidence has helped investigators find their...
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DNA on trial. (DNA fingerprinting)(includes related article)
Magazine article from: Science World; 10/21/1994; ; 700+ words
; ...fiction? It's not. The test, called DNA fingerprinting--which looks at the genetic...her friend last June. Prosecutors claim DNA samples taken from blood at the crime scene...But some scientists and lawyers argue that DNA evidence shouldn't be allowed in court...
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DNA test to deal with criminal cases in Bangladesh.
News Wire article from: UNB - United News of Bangladesh; 6/25/2005; 700+ words
; Dhaka, June 25 (UNB) - DNA-analysis technology is ready in Bangladesh for fast...Suspected criminals can be identified through analysis of DNA evidences from crime scenes. Within 24 hours DNA profile can be made to find out criminals. Deoxyribonucleic...
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DNA databases: when fear goes too far.
Magazine article from: American Criminal Law Review; 6/22/2000; ; 700+ words
; ...highly publicized trial of O.J. Simpson, DNA evidence has become a common feature in American criminal trials. As a forensic tool, DNA analysis was initially used to link an already...situations, law enforcement officers obtain DNA from the suspect and compare it to DNA recovered...
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DNA Evidence: A POWERFUL TOOL
Magazine article from: Law & Order; 4/1/2007; ; 700+ words
; ...perp, and better yet, there should be a lot of his DNA in those cells. The DNA lab's report is due any minute now. The phone rings...the lab, "Sorry there is no match with the perp's DNA in CODIS." So here you are back at square one. There...
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DNA Polymerases
Book article from: Genetics
DNA Polymerases DNA polymerases are proteins that synthesize new DNA strands using preexisting DNA strands as templates. Before one cell divides to produce two cells, the DNA containing the genetic information in it must be duplicated for the...
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DNA Databanks
Book article from: World of Forensic Science
DNA Databanks With the advent of significant biotechnological...understanding of the genetic material that we inherit ( DNA ) has allowed scientists to utilize this information...been to initiate and establish large-scale DNA databanks. A DNA databank is essentially a...
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DNA Fingerprint
Book article from: World of Forensic Science
DNA Fingerprint DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) represents the blueprint of the human genetic...body and differs in its sequence of nucleotides (molecules that make up DNA, also abbreviated by letters, A, T, G, C; or, adenine, thymine...
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Mitochondrial DNA Typing
Book article from: World of Forensic Science
Mitochondrial DNA Typing The field of forensic science has...the genome found in the nucleus (nuclear DNA ) due to many features, including: how...copy number; and its size. Mitochondrial DNA is circular, double stranded, and inherited...
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DNA Evidence
Encyclopedia entry from: West's Encyclopedia of American Law
DNA EVIDENCE Among the many new tools that science has provided...controversial analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, the material that makes up the genetic code of most organisms. DNA analysis, also called DNA typing or DNA profiling...
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