nucleic acid

American  

[noo-klee-ik, -kley-, nyoo-] / nuˈkli ɪk, -ˈkleɪ-, nyu- /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of long, linear macromolecules, either DNA or various types of RNA, that carry genetic information directing all cellular functions: composed of linked nucleotides.

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nucleic acid British  

/ -ˈkleɪ-, njuːˈkliːɪk /

noun

1. biochem any of a group of complex compounds with a high molecular weight that are vital constituents of all living cells See also RNA DNA

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nucleic acid Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-klē′ĭk /

1. Any of a group of very large polymeric nucleotides that constitute the genetic material of living cells and viruses and that code for the amino acid sequences of proteins. Nucleic acids consist of either one or two long chains of repeating units called nucleotides, which consist of a nitrogen base (a purine or pyrimidine) attached to a sugar phosphate. The two main nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. In DNA, the nitrogen bases along the length of one chain are linked to complementary bases in the other chain by hydrogen bonds, and both chains coil around each other in a double helix. Particular sequences of nucleotides constitute genes and encode instructions for sequences of amino acids when proteins are synthesized. In RNA, which is usually single-stranded, complementary bases within the single strand may pair with each other, forming structures other than a double helix.

2. See more at DNA RNA

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Etymology

Origin of nucleic acid

1890–95; nucle(us) + -ic; compare German Nucleïnsäure (1889)

Compare meaning

How does nucleic-acid compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• nucleic acid vs. amino acid

Example Sentences

Genevant remains focused on leveraging its nucleic acid delivery systems to bring innovative medicines to people who need them, he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

"The other issue that will affect industry is the risks that they talk about about nucleic acid synthesis screening."

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2025

Indeed, at the NIH briefing, Kate Meyer, an RNA researcher at Duke University, said, “I would say DNA is the other nucleic acid, not the other way around.”

From Science Magazine • May 30, 2024

By gaining a deeper understanding of how defenses against viruses work on a molecular level, the researchers aim to drive the development of nucleic acid medicines.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2024

Nucleotides have been put together into strands of nucleic acid a few dozen units long.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan