nucleic acids

Cultural  

1. Organic molecule (see also organic molecule) found in the nuclei of cells. DNA and RNA, the best-known nucleic acids, govern heredity and the chemical processes in the cell.

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Example Sentences

The goal is to make companies that sell the synthetic nucleic acids screen customer orders to block any combinations that could be dangerous, and make sure the customers who place the orders are legitimate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Opponents said it is subjective which combinations of nucleic acids are considered dangerous and warn that the costs of complying could hurt startups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Some migrasomes contained viral nucleic acids inside while displaying the VSV surface protein VSV-G on their outer membrane.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

Cells use RNA, a single-stranded string of nucleic acids that translates blueprints encoded in DNA into the production of proteins.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2024

No organic molecules could be found—no building blocks of proteins and nucleic acids, no simple hydrocarbons, nothing of the stuff of life on Earth.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan