PRIMER

Primer

A primer is a strand of nucleic acid that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis. It is required for DNA replication because the enzymes that catalyze this process, DNA polymerases, can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of DNA. The polymerase starts replication at the 3'-end of the primer, and copies the opposite strand.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Primer (molecular biology)
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primer

Noun

  1. An elementary textbook introducing a topic, or teaching basic concepts.
  2. An elementary book for teaching children to learn the alphabet and to read, write and spell.
    New Latin Primer (an introductory grammar, published 2008)
  3. A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule required for the of a DNA molecule.
  4. Any substance used to start a fire.
  5. A small charge that burns furiously when given sufficient electrical current () or when struck with force () that ignites the main combustable substances in explosives or ammunition.
  6. A layer of paint designed to underlay a topcoat, used to enhance the adhesion and durability of the topcoat and help in protection of the surface.
  7. A device used to circulate gasoline into the ignition chamber of an engine.

Adjective

  1. First; original; primary.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: primer
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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