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Definition of polymerase
: any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template — compare DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase
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Recent Examples of polymerase from the Web
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Until now, scientists believed that the polymerases on the two strands coordinated their movement somehow to ensure that one didn’t get too far ahead of the other.
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The switch kicks in to stop the spiral from unzipping too far and lets the polymerase catch up.
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The case went cold, but in 2001, authorities were able to review old evidence using a technology called PCR, or polymerase chain reaction.
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One type is called a polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., designed to detect the active virus in blood and urine.
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The simplest, known as a polymerase chain reaction test, can find traces of the virus in the blood up until about a week after infection, and in urine for about 10 days.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polymerase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of polymerase
1948
Medical Dictionary
polymerase
play
noun
po·ly·mer·ase
\pə-ˈlim-ər-ās; ˈpä-lə-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz\
Medical Definition of polymerase
: any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template
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