a segment of dna

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a segment of dna" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific portion or piece of DNA in a biological or genetic context. Example: "Researchers discovered a segment of DNA that is linked to increased resistance to certain diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Transcript An RNA molecule copied from a segment of DNA.

The New York Times - Science

If a segment of DNA encodes some essential molecule, mutations will tend to produce catastrophic damage.

The New York Times - Science

Like bookends, the pair of corresponding SNPs defines a segment of DNA.

MIT Technology Review

If a segment of DNA does not do much, however, it can mutate without causing any harm.

The New York Times - Science

They searched in particular for cases in which a segment of DNA was accidentally duplicated or deleted.

The New York Times - Science

Once a segment of DNA has been cloned, its nucleotide sequence can be determined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The initiation site on a segment of DNA is called a promoter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This result means that you have inherited through your father a segment of DNA that was passed on consistently from father to son to you.

The Guardian

The new technique takes advantage of a biological process known as recombination, where a segment of DNA is swapped out for an almost identical piece.

The New York Times

If two distantly related organisms within the same sample shared a segment of DNA, Brito identified it as a mobile gene.

The New Yorker

By the 1960s, the gene was conceived of as a segment of DNA that carried the instructions for making a protein molecule.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about genetics or molecular biology, use "a segment of dna" to refer to a non-specific portion of the DNA molecule. Be precise by including specific start and end points, especially in scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming every "segment of dna" is a gene. Some segments might be regulatory regions, non-coding sequences, or other functional elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a segment of dna" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a portion of the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase is used in scientific literature and news articles. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a segment of dna" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes a portion of the DNA molecule. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate in a wide array of scientific and technical contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news publications, it serves to precisely identify a specific region of DNA for further examination or manipulation. Although interchangeable with alternatives such as "a dna fragment" or "a dna sequence", it's crucial to avoid overgeneralizing its function, recognizing that not all DNA segments are genes. When employing this phrase, ensure accuracy by specifying start and end points whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dna fragment

This alternative uses "fragment" instead of "segment", implying a broken or smaller piece.

a portion of dna

This alternative uses "portion", indicating a share or part of the whole.

a piece of dna

This alternative uses "piece", suggesting a distinct, possibly detached part.

a dna sequence

This alternative focuses on the order of nucleotides within the DNA, rather than just a portion of it.

a region of dna

This alternative uses "region", which is a broader term for an area or part.

a dna section

This alternative uses "section", implying a division or part of a larger structure.

a dna stretch

This alternative uses "stretch", indicating a continuous length of DNA.

a specific dna sequence

This alternative emphasizes that the segment has a particular order of nucleotides.

a dna element

This alternative uses "element", implying a basic or essential part of DNA.

a portion of the dna molecule

This alternative specifies that the segment is part of the larger "dna molecule".

FAQs

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

You can use "a segment of dna" to refer to a specific part of the DNA molecule, such as "The researchers identified a specific "segment of dna" associated with the disease."

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

You can use alternatives like "a dna fragment", "a dna sequence", or "a region of dna" depending on the context.

Is "a segment of dna" the same as a gene?

Not always. A gene is a specific "segment of dna" that codes for a protein, but not all DNA segments are genes. Some may be regulatory regions or non-coding sequences.

What's the difference between "a segment of dna" and "a piece of dna"?

While similar, "a piece of dna" often implies a physical fragment or a separate portion, whereas "a segment of dna" simply refers to a section within the larger DNA molecule.