any of a group of essential complex organic acids found in all living cells: the two types are DNA and 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
See nucleic acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(no͞o-klēˈĭk, -klāˈ-, nyo͞o-)
noun
Any of a group of complex compounds found in all living cells and viruses, composed of purines, pyrimidines, carbohydrates, and phosphoric acid. Nucleic acids in the form of DNA and RNA control cellular function and heredity.
