supercoils
/ˈsupərˌkɔɪlz/
noun
- Plural of supercoil; structures formed when a long molecule such as DNA twists upon itself.
- Researchers observed how supercoils affect the activity of genes.
- Different enzymes can add or remove supercoils from DNA.
- The DNA molecule can form supercoils to save space inside the cell.
verb
- Third person singular present of supercoil; to cause to form a supercoil.
- Heat often supercoils the molecule, changing its shape.
- The protein supercoils the DNA strand during packaging.
- The enzyme supercoils the genetic material to prepare for cell division.