• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
methodshop

methodshop

tech news, reviews & how to's

  • Trending
  • Latest Stories
  • Fun
  • Culture
  • Learn
  • Tech
  • Search
You are here: Home / Learn / Health & Science / What Does DNA Stand For? Do You Know The Answer?
What Does DNA Stand For?
RobinHiggins, qimono

What Does DNA Stand For? Do You Know The Answer?

DNA is one most well-known scientific acronyms in the English language. But what does DNA stand for in medical terms? What is it abbreviating?

September 18, 2018 by Collin Pisarra
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Does DNA Stand For And How Do You Pronounce It?
  • What Is DNA?
  • DNA: How Do You Pronounce It?
  • DNA In Pop Culture
  • Who Discovered DNA?
  • What Does DNA Stand For? -- Now You Know!

Ever since DNA testing became a central piece of evidence in the 1990s during the OJ Simpson trial, these three letters have become one most well-known acronyms in the English language. What do the letters DNA stand for in medical terms? Surprisingly, most people don’t know the answer.

What Does DNA Stand For And How Do You Pronounce It?

What does DNA stand for in medical terms? DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. There are two different nucleic acids that make up the different strands of DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the main acid. The other acid is ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What Is DNA?

Simply stated, deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic code of a living thing. Every living creature has its own unique DNA and no one except for an identical twin will have the same DNA as you. Creative companies like 23andMe, DNA11, and AncestryDNA have all found commercial uses for your DNA information including DNA testing and DNA artwork.

A Dna Helix - What Does Dna Stand For?
Image of DNA helix (Geralt)

DNA is a very tiny molecule that’s shaped like a double helix. Two biopolymer strands coiled around each other creating the double helix shape. The sequence that runs along this double helix is what makes up our genetic information.

DNA: How Do You Pronounce It?

What do the letters DNA stand for? Deoxyribonucleic acid. It’s is a mouthful. That’s why it’s more commonly known as just DNA. To pronounce “deoxyribonucleic acid”, break it down into shorter pieces: De-oxy-rib-on-u-cleic. What does DNA stand for? Now you know.

DNA In Pop Culture

References to DNA are abundant in pop culture now. In Jurassic Park, scientists used DNA from a prehistoric mosquito trapped in amber to recreate dinosaurs. In the CSI TV series, forensic investigation teams use DNA to help solve crimes.





Even though DNA evidence first started being used in courtrooms in the late 1980s, it wasn’t until the murder trial of OJ Simpson that the concept of DNA was truly introduced to the American public. Back then, DNA was a tough concept to grasp. But today, not only do most people believe that the science was valid, they expect it to solve most mysteries.

What does DNA stand for in medical terms? Surprisingly, most people don’t know the answer. #DNA #WhatIsDNA
Click To Tweet

Who Discovered DNA?

In addition to giving the world Velcro, the Helvetica Font, Swiss Army Knives, and LSD, the Swiss can also take credit for discovering DNA. In 1869, Swiss physician Johann Friedrich Miescher was the first scientist to discover something that he called “nuclein”. It’s actually a rather disgusting discovery story. Miescher found nuclein while examining the old pus from surgical bandages. But Miescher wasn’t exactly sure what nuclein was.

What Does Dna Stand For In Medical Terms? How Johann Miescher Discovered Dna.
Johann Miescher discovered DNA while examining pus from bloody bandages. (Wikipedia, Lisafern)

It wasn’t until 1881 when a German biochemist named Albrecht Kossel identified nuclein as a nucleic acid. Kossel gave nuclein a proper chemical name, deoxyribonucleic acid. Over the next century, many other scientists made additional discoveries about DNA including its link to heredity and the famous DNA double-helix model we all know today.

All of this DNA research culminated in 1990 when the world’s largest collaborative biological project, The Human Genome Project, began. The international scientific research project successfully mapped over 3 billion nucleotides contained in the human genome. If only Miescher knew how much would become from his simple examination of old bandages full of pus.

What Does DNA Stand For? — Now You Know!

There you have it. The next time that someone asks you “what does DNA stand for?”, you’ll know the answer. From being a Jeopardy! contestant to playing Trivia Pursuit, you never know when it might come in handy.

NERD NOTE: The DNA of all human beings is 99.9% exactly the same. We also share 98.7% of our DNA with chimpanzees and bonobos and 60% of our DNA with fruit flies. Also of note, 2/3 of fruit fly genes are known to be connected with cancer.

What Does DNA Stand For? Do You Know The Answer? #DNA
Click To Tweet

Related Articles:

  • DNA Jokes And Pickup Lines – With Explanations
  • Everything You Need To Know Before Ordering DNA Testing Kits
  • DNA Art: Create Unique And Fascinating Artwork Based On Your DNA
  • DNA Codes Mapped Onto Computer Disks
  • 23andMe vs Ancestry: Which Home DNA Kit Should You Try?

Related Posts:

  • DNA Art: Create Unique And Fascinating Artwork Based On Your DNA
    DNA Art: Create Unique And Fascinating Artwork Based…
  • Everything You Need To Know Before Ordering DNA Testing Kits
    Everything You Need To Know Before Ordering DNA Testing Kits
  • Can You Correctly Answer These 10 Guns N' Roses Trivia Questions?
    Can You Correctly Answer These 10 Guns N' Roses…

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0
Category: Health & Science, Learn Tag: 23andMe, Albrecht Kossel, AncestryDNA, Bono, deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, DNA Testing, DNA11, Fonts, Germany, Johann Friedrich Miescher, LSD, nuclein, OJ Simpson, ribonucleic acid, RNA, Swiss Army Knives, The Human Genome Project, Velcro
Previous Post: « Tech Savvy Woman Using Multiple Devices Ageism And Sexism: Is There A Cut-Off For Being Tech-Savvy?
Next Post: 18 Inspirational Quotes From Beth Comstock’s Book ‘Imagine It Forward’ Beth Comstock - Imagine It Forward »

Sidebar

Trending Now

  • The 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That'll Make You LaughThe 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That’ll Make You Laugh
  • How To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without InvoiceHow To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without Invoice
  • 7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google's Cameras7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google’s Cameras
  • Controversial Nimbus 2000 Vibrating Harry Potter Broomstick Has Parents In An UproarControversial Nimbus 2000 Vibrating Harry Potter Broomstick Has Parents In An Uproar
  • 20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite
  • How To Play The Original Oregon Trail Game Online For FreeHow To Play The Original Oregon Trail Game Online For Free
  • Fletch Quotes: 30 Of The Funniest Quotes From The Movie FletchFletch Quotes: 30 Of The Funniest Quotes From The Movie Fletch
  • 5 Easy Elevator Hacks That Will Help Give You An Express Ride5 Easy Elevator Hacks That Will Help Give You An Express Ride
  • 22 Inspirational Dr. Seuss Quotes To Help Motivate Your Life22 Inspirational Dr. Seuss Quotes To Help Motivate Your Life
  • 50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities

Categories

COLD Podcast & Amazon Music

The COLD Podcast Gets Scooped Up In Exclusive Distribution Deal With Amazon Music And Has Been Optioned As A TV Series

Gina Carano Fired Poll

Was Disney Right To Fire Gina Carano From The Mandalorian?

After months of posting controversial messages on social media mocking pronouns supporting trans people, the 2020 election, face coverings, and Covid-19 lockdowns, The Mandalorian star Gina Carano got fired for her Instagram post about Jews in Nazi Germany that went too far for Disney.



About

MethodShop’s mission is to entertain, inform, and sometimes gross you out. MethodShop has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by us. All prices are subject to change.

Latest

The Sunbather by Ohad Meromi

The 25 Weirdest Statues And Sculptures From Around The World

Perseverance Mars Landing Photos

This Incredible Midair Photo Shows The Perseverance Mars Landing From Above

Follow

MethodShop Animated Zoom Icon
  • About
  • Submit
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Store

Copyright © 2021 MethodShop · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT