Macromolecules composed of sequences of nucleotides that perform several functions in living cells, e.g. the storage of genetic information and its transfer from one generation to the next (DNA), and the expression of this information in protein synthesis (mRNA, tRNA), and may act as functional components of subcellular units such as ribosomes (rRNA). RNA contains D-ribose, DNA contains 2-deoxy-D-ribose as the sugar component. Currently, synthetic nucleic acids can be made consisting of hundreds of nucleotides. See also oligonucleotide.

Any of a group of essential complex organic acids found in all living cells, the two major types of DNA and RNA.

General term for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), DNA serving as the genetic material of all living organisms and some viruses.

Large organic molecules made of nucleotides that function in the transmission of hereditary traits, in protein synthesis, and in control of cellular activities.

large molecules comprised of nucleotides.

High molecular weight natural polymers found in the nuclei and cytoplasms of all living cells.

Polymers of nucleotide monomers. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are two types of nucleic acids.

Polymers composed of nucleotides; e.g., DNA and RNA.

Large complex molecules found in all animals and plants, principally having one of two forms: DNA and RNA. [See DNA and RNA

Large molecules, generally found in the cell's nucleus and/or cytoplasm, that are made up of nucleotide bases. The two kinds of nucleic acid are DNA and RNA.

Nucleic acids are macromolecules (relative molecular mass over 5 000 000), the major organic matter of the nuclei of biological cells, made up of nucleotide units, and hydrolyzable into certain pyrimidine or purine bases (usually adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil), D-ribose or 2-deoxy-D-ribose.

DNA or RNA

Large, naturally occurring molecules composed of chemical building blocks known as nucleotides. There are two kinds of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA.