nucleic acid Hear it!

nucleic acid Definition

nu·cleic acid (no̵̅o̅ klē′ik, nyo̵̅o̅-; --klā′-)

noun

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

nucleic acid Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • extract: Fixed in formalin, as pathologists prefer, tissue is useless for extracting nucleic acids and proteins.
  • possess: The rice dwarf phytoreovirus structural protein P7 possesses non-specific nucleic acids binding activity in vitro.

Adjective modifier

  • 'free': Unregulated Hazards: 'Naked' and 'Free' Nucleic Acids, ISIS and TWN Report ( www.i-sis.org.uk ) Patience, C. ( 1999 ).
  • double-stranded: For double-stranded nucleic acids Table 2 permits the allocation of symbols to the complementary strand.
  • non-specific: The rice dwarf phytoreovirus structural protein P7 possesses non-specific nucleic acids binding activity in vitro.