What is supercoiling?

Supercoiling refers to the twisting of the DNA double helix beyond its normal relaxed state, resulting in additional coils. This phenomenon occurs when the DNA is either overwound or underwound, leading to positive or negative supercoiling, respectively. Supercoiling plays a crucial role in DNA packaging within cells, facilitating the compaction of genetic material and influencing processes such as replication and transcription. It is particularly important in prokaryotic organisms, where DNA exists as circular molecules.