title: Changes of conformation of DNA produced by mechanical forces.
abstract: It is shown that when tension is applied to DNA it can change its conformation. In the relaxed state, DNA adopts the A form in the absence of excess salt. When tension is applied, either the B, C or stretched conformations of DNA are observed, depending on the humidity of the sample.
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA; D006813:Humidity; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D004247:DNA