heteroduplex

biology

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July 17, 2026

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A heteroduplex is a nucleic acid molecule, such as DNA, that is composed of two strands originating from different parent molecules. This structure can form during genetic recombination, a process that introduces variation within species and aids in DNA repair.12

In homologous recombination, two DNA molecules with similar base sequences interact. This process can lead to the formation of a Holliday junction, a cross-shaped structure where segments of genetic information are exchanged. The initial product of recombination between similar but not identical DNA regions is a heteroduplex, which may contain mismatched bases. Enzymes within cells can repair these mismatches.32

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nucleic acid
General recombination
…not identical will be a heteroduplex—that is, a molecule in which mismatched bases will be present at some positions in the helix. Thus, in the specialized recombination that takes place during meiosis, one round of replication is necessary before the mosaic chromosomes produced by recombination are properly matched. Enzymes are…
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…not identical will be a heteroduplex—that is, a molecule in which mismatched bases will be present at some positions in the helix. Thus, in the specialized recombination that takes place during meiosis, one round of replication is necessary before the mosaic chromosomes produced by recombination are properly matched. Enzymes are…
Read More