Antiparallel
Definition
Antiparallel describes the opposite directional orientations of paired nucleic-acid strands: one runs 5-prime to 3-prime while the other runs oppositely. Recognising that relationship matters when writing, aligning or interpreting complementary DNA sequences in a consistent orientation.
- Context
- Nucleic-acid structure
For example, writing both DNA strands in their usual 5-prime-to-3-prime directions requires recognising their opposite orientations rather than aligning the written strings unchanged.
Compare sequences in a consistent orientation and stated region.
Related terms
- Degradation Index
- A ratio or combination of RNA abundance measurements designed to capture the state of degradation of a sample. Often calculated as the...
- Nucleotide
- A nucleotide is a molecular building block containing a base, a sugar and phosphate-related structure. DNA and RNA contain different sugars and...
- Reverse Complement
- Complementary sequence written in the opposite strand’s usual 5-prime to 3-prime direction. Writing a reverse complement requires both complementary bases and reversal...
- Transcript
- An RNA molecule produced from a DNA template through transcription. Exons can remain in mature transcripts and can contain coding or untranslated...
Explained in
- Nucleic Acids: Structure and FunctionOpposite 5-prime/3-prime orientations of paired strands.