Nucleic acids are complex chemical substances, such as DNA, which are found in living cells.
[technical]
nucleic acid in British English
type of complex compound that is a vital constituent of living cells
See full dictionary entry for nucleic
nucleic acid in British English
(njuːˈkliːɪk, -ˈkleɪ-)
noun
biochemistry
any of a group of complex compounds with a high molecular weight that are vital constituents of all living cells
See also RNA, DNA1
nucleic acid in American English
(nuˈkliɪk; njuˈkliɪk; nuˈkleɪɪk; njuˈkleɪɪk)
any of a group of essential complex organic acids found in all living cells: the two types are DNA, RNA and consist of long chains of nucleotide units with each unit composed of phosphoric acid, a carbohydrate, and a base derived from purine or pyrimidine
Examples of 'nucleic acid' in a sentence
nucleic acid
The synthesis and replication of the nucleic acid is dependent on the structural guidance provided by the protein.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
The double-origin hypothesis implies that nucleic acids were the oldest and most successful cellular parasites.