DNA
This term carries a heavy scientific weight but has migrated into common parlance to describe the most fundamental, unchanging essence of a person or organization. When used in a business or branding context, it refers to the core values and identity that cannot be easily altered without changing the entity itself.
In a forensic or medical context, it implies a unique, immutable biological signature. It evokes an image of a complex, twisting ladder that holds the blueprint of life, suggesting a level of precision and destiny that transcends simple physical appearance.
Uncountable when referring to the chemical substance in general; countable when referring to a specific sequence or a unique genetic profile.
Meanings
The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.
The scientist analyzed the DNA samples to identify the suspect.
Examples
Scientists extracted the DNA from the sample to identify the suspect.