a section of dna

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a section of dna" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific part or segment of DNA in a biological or genetic context. Example: "Researchers identified a section of dna that is responsible for the hereditary trait."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

To build a protein, a section of DNA unwinds, exposing the nucleotide bases.

The New York Times

A few mutations in a gene, which is a section of DNA that provides the blueprint for a specific protein, can result in a protein that no longer folds properly.

The New York Times - Science

In eukaryotes, a section of DNA between 140 and 200 base pairs long winds around a discrete set of eight positively charged proteins called a histone, forming a spherical structure called the nucleosome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group examined a section of DNA known to be mutated in some short people; the section lay in a so-called pseudoautosomal region (PAR) that is identical in the X and Y chromosomes.

Science Magazine

He and his colleagues also find that this microbe has a section of DNA in which some of the base pairs that make up the letters of the genetic code are repeated.

Science Magazine

It's caused by a genetic defect, where a section of DNA repeat many more times than it is supposed to.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Dr Spadafora, for instance, claims he once found a section of frog DNA, which must have hung around in his laboratory from an experiment conducted more than a year previously, inside a mouse sperm.This promiscuity is widespread, and has been seen in sperm from more than 30 species, from sea urchins to honey bees to humans.

The Economist

Our genes code for proteins; a section of the DNA is transcribed to RNA, beginning the process by which a gene is expressed.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

He cites a 1978 paper that showed a link between the gene behind sickle cell disease and a variation in a section of junk DNA.

Forbes

16S rRNA is a section of prokaryotic DNA found in all bacteria and archaea.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The second distinct 3'UTR identified by BLAST also appeared to tile into another β-tubulin gene but, on closer inspection, this resulted from a section of repetitive DNA on either side of the tubulin that caused one to tile back into the N-terminus.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about specific genetic research or findings, use "a section of dna" to refer to a particular area or segment being studied or manipulated. For example: "The researchers analyzed "a section of dna" known to be associated with the disease."

Common error

Avoid using "a section of dna" when a more specific term like "gene", "allele", or "chromosome" would be more accurate. For example, instead of "The study examined a section of dna for mutations", consider "The study examined the BRCA1 gene for mutations."

Linguistic Context

"A section of dna" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It identifies a specific, localized part of the larger DNA molecule, often in the context of genetic research or biological processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a section of dna" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used in scientific, medical, and related fields to denote a specific region of the DNA molecule. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in written English. Its purpose is primarily to identify a target for research, describe a genetic feature, or explain a biological mechanism, with a frequency qualified as uncommon in broad contexts. The phrase appears most often in science-related content, particularly from authoritative sources like Science Magazine and BMC Genomics. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific and consider if a more precise term like “gene” or “allele” would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a segment of dna

Replaces "section" with "segment", implying a distinct part of DNA but slightly more technical.

a dna fragment

Uses "fragment" to suggest a smaller, possibly isolated piece of DNA.

a region of dna

Substitutes "section" with "region", indicating a broader area within the DNA sequence.

a portion of dna

Replaces "section" with "portion", suggesting a part of the DNA, less technical.

a stretch of dna

Uses "stretch" to imply a continuous sequence of DNA.

a dna sequence

Focuses on the order of nucleotides within the DNA.

a gene sequence

Specifies that the DNA section is a gene, a functional unit of heredity.

a locus on the dna

Uses "locus" to refer to a specific, fixed position on a chromosome where a particular gene or genetic marker is located.

part of the dna molecule

Emphasizes that the section is part of a larger molecular structure.

a dna element

Uses "element" to denote a component of the DNA with a specific function.

FAQs

How can I use "a section of dna" in a sentence?

You can use "a section of dna" to refer to a specific region of genetic material in scientific or biological contexts. For example: "The researchers isolated "a section of dna" that contained the gene of interest."

What are some alternatives to saying "a section of dna"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a segment of dna", "a region of dna", or "a dna fragment".

Is it correct to refer to a gene as "a section of dna"?

Yes, a gene can be described as "a section of dna", but it's more precise to call it a gene when you're referring to the specific functional unit that codes for a protein.

What's the difference between "a section of dna" and a chromosome?

"A section of dna" refers to a specific part of the DNA molecule, while a chromosome is an entire structure containing tightly packed DNA and proteins. A chromosome contains many "genes", and each gene is essentially "a section of dna".