Menu

Complementary Dna for Dummies

noun


What does Complementary Dna really mean?

50 1
50
Complementary DNA, also known as cDNA, is a term we use to describe a special type of DNA molecule that is made artificially in a laboratory. To understand what complementary DNA is, let's first talk about DNA itself. DNA (which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid) is like a set of instructions or a recipe book that tells our body how to work and grow.

Now, imagine DNA as a long chain made up of different building blocks called nucleotides. These nucleotides come in four types: adenine (A), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and guanine (G). They are like the letters in an alphabet, but instead of writing words, the nucleotides form a code that our cells can read and understand.

When we say that cDNA is complementary to DNA, we mean that it is a copy of a specific part of the original DNA chain. It is like making a duplicate of one chapter from a big book. So how do scientists make this cDNA? They use a process called reverse transcription.

This process starts with a messenger RNA molecule, which is a copy of the DNA's instructions, but in a different form. Remember, DNA is like the original recipe book, while messenger RNA is like a photocopy of a specific recipe from that book.

Scientists take this messenger RNA and use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert it into complementary DNA. The reverse transcriptase enzyme acts like a special photocopier, reading the messenger RNA and creating a new DNA strand that is like a mirror image of the original DNA sequence.

Why would scientists want to make this complementary DNA? Well, remember that DNA is found in the nucleus of our cells, but sometimes we need to study or use specific parts of the DNA in the laboratory. By making a copy of the messenger RNA and converting it into cDNA, scientists can isolate and work with specific genes or sequences of DNA that are important for their research.

So, in simple terms, complementary DNA (cDNA) is an artificial copy of a specific part of our DNA that scientists make in the laboratory. It helps them study and work with specific genes or sequences of DNA that they are interested in. To summarize, complementary DNA (cDNA) is like a duplicate or a copy of a specific part of our DNA chain, and scientists make it using a process called reverse transcription. It allows them to isolate and study specific genes or sequences of DNA in the laboratory.


Revised and Fact checked by Michael Rodriguez on 2023-10-28 06:03:03

Complementary Dna In a sentece

Learn how to use Complementary Dna inside a sentece

  • When scientists want to study a specific gene, they can make a complementary DNA copy of that gene in the lab.
  • Complementary DNA is used to produce large amounts of a gene so it can be studied or used in medical treatments.
  • By making complementary DNA, scientists can learn more about how certain genes work and affect our bodies.
  • If a person has a genetic disorder, doctors can use complementary DNA to identify the specific gene responsible for that disorder.
  • Complementary DNA is like a mirror image of the original gene, allowing scientists to study its structure and functions.

Complementary Dna Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Complementary Dna Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Complementary Dna Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.