Main Entry: double helix

Function: noun

: a helix or spiral consisting of two strands in the surface of a cylinder that coil around its axis ; especially : the structural arrangement of DNA in space that consists of paired polynucleotide strands stabilized by cross-links between purine and pyrimidine bases—compare alpha-helix, watson-crick model

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—dou·ble–he·li·cal \-ˈhel-i-kəl, -ˈhē-li-\ adjective