nucleicacid

nu·cle·ic acid (no͞o-klēʹĭk, -klāʹ-, nyo͞o-) n.

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.

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