supercoil
noun
su·per·coil
ˈsü-pər-ˌkȯi(-ə)l 
: a double helix (as of DNA) that has undergone additional twisting in the same direction as or in the opposite direction from the turns in the original helix
supercoil
verb
Examples of supercoil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2008, Levens, the National Cancer Institute biologist, led a team that detected supercoils in human cells, reigniting interest in DNA’s higher-order structure.
—
Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2016
Dictionary Entries Near supercoil
Cite this Entry
“Supercoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supercoil. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
supercoil
noun
su·per·coil
ˈsü-pər-ˌkȯi(ə)l
: a double helix (as of DNA) that has undergone additional twisting in the same direction as or in the opposite direction from the turns in the original helix
called also superhelix
supercoil
verb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share