NUCLEIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Nucleic acids are complex macromolecules found in all living organisms. They are composed of nucleotide units, which contain a sugar molecule (either ribose or deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. There are two main types of nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
DNA, often referred to as the "molecule of life," is the genetic material that carries the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. It is a double-stranded helical structure, consisting of two complementary strands held together by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases: adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine. This complementary base pairing allows DNA to replicate accurately during cell division and transfer genetic information from one generation to the next.
RNA, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It is generally single-stranded and can fold into various secondary structures. RNA is transcribed from DNA and carries the genetic information needed to build proteins. There are three main types of RNA involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Nucleic acids are essential for the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information within cells. They serve as the building blocks for genetic material and play a vital role in various biological processes, including growth, development, reproduction, and the functioning of living organisms.
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A body of definite chemical constitution (C29H48N9P3O32), the combination of which with proteins forms nucleins; it yields on hydrolysis purine bases, pyrimidine bases, phosphoric acid, and sugar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NUCLEIC ACID
- bucleic acid
- mucleic acid
- jucleic acid
- hucleic acid
- nycleic acid
- nhcleic acid
- njcleic acid
- nicleic acid
- n8cleic acid
- n7cleic acid
- nuxleic acid
- nuvleic acid
- nufleic acid
- nudleic acid
- nuckeic acid
- nucpeic acid
- nucoeic acid
- nuclwic acid
- nuclsic acid
Etymology of NUCLEIC ACID
The word "nucleic acid" is derived from the Latin word "nucleus" meaning "kernel" or "nut" and the Greek word "acid" meaning "sour". The term was coined by the Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher in 1869 when he first isolated a substance from the nuclei of cells, which he called "nuclein". Later, this substance was found to be composed of nucleic acids, which are now known as the fundamental genetic material found in all living organisms.
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