nucleic acid
C2 (Academic/Technical)Technical, scientific, formal academic.
Definition
Meaning
A complex organic substance present in all living cells, forming the genetic material (DNA or RNA).
Any of a class of large molecules composed of nucleotide chains that carry genetic information and direct protein synthesis.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always refers to a group of biopolymers (DNA, RNA). Often used as a mass noun but can be pluralized when referring to multiple types (e.g., nucleic acids).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows national conventions for related words (e.g., centre/center).
Connotations
Purely scientific term, no divergent connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency outside scientific contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The VIRUS contains a specific TYPE of nucleic acid.Scientists extracted the NUCLEIC ACID from the TISSUE.NUCLEIC ACID is the BASIS of heredity.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used only in biotech/pharma contexts (e.g., 'nucleic acid therapeutics').
Academic
Standard term in biology, biochemistry, genetics, and medicine.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in news about medical testing (e.g., 'nucleic acid test' for viruses).
Technical
Core, precise term defining the class of molecules.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The nucleic acid analysis was conclusive.
- They studied the nucleic acid composition.
American English
- The nucleic acid analysis was conclusive.
- They studied the nucleic acid composition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- DNA is a type of nucleic acid.
- Nucleic acids are very important for life.
- Scientists can test for viruses by looking for their nucleic acid.
- The structure of the nucleic acid was determined using X-ray crystallography.
- All living organisms rely on nucleic acids to store genetic information.
- Advances in nucleic acid sequencing have revolutionised genomics.
- The pathogen's nucleic acid was extracted and amplified via PCR for identification.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the NUCLEUS of a cell, where DNA is found. Nucleic Acid = acid from the nucleus.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BLUEPRINT OF LIFE (nucleic acids as an informational code).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'nucleic' with 'nuclear' (ядерный). 'Nucleic acid' is 'нуклеиновая кислота'.
- The term is almost exclusively scientific; no common colloquial equivalent exists.
- Do not translate as 'acid of the nucleus'; it's a fixed compound noun.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing 'nucleic' as /ˈnuːklɪk/ (should be /njuːˈkliːɪk/).
- Using 'nucleic' as a standalone noun (e.g., 'the nucleic' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'nucleic acid' with 'amino acid' (the building blocks of proteins).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of nucleic acids?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
No. While DNA is primarily in the nucleus, RNA is found throughout the cell, and in prokaryotes (which lack a nucleus), nucleic acids are in the cytoplasm.
A diagnostic test that detects the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a pathogen, such as a virus, in a sample. PCR tests are a common type.
It can be both. As a mass noun referring to the substance, it's uncountable ('extract nucleic acid'). When referring to distinct types or molecules, it's countable ('the two nucleic acids').