The writhing number of a space curve.
A geometric invariant of a space curve, the writhing number, is defined and studied. For the central curve of a twisted cord the writhing number measures the extent to which coiling of the central curve has relieved local twisting of the cord. This study originated in response to questions that arise in the study of supercoiled double-stranded DNA rings.
D004247:DNA; D004548:Elasticity; D008433:Mathematics; D008961:Models, Structural; D008967:Molecular Biology
D004247:DNA