1.
nucleic acid
A class of biological molecules — DNA and RNA — that carry genetic information in all living organisms. Essential to the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
核酸にはDNAとRNAがある。
There are two types of nucleic acid: DNA and RNA.
核酸は遺伝情報を担う重要な物質だ。
Nucleic acids are important substances that carry genetic information.
ウイルスの核酸を検出するPCR検査は、感染症の診断に広く使われている。
PCR testing, which detects viral nucleic acids, is widely used for diagnosing infectious diseases.
Composed of 核 (nucleus, core) and 酸 (acid). So named because nucleic acids were first isolated from cell nuclei. The term became widely known to the general public through PCR testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, where "nucleic acid testing" (核酸検査) became a household phrase in Japan.
Note: the homophone 拡散 (spread, diffusion) is a completely different word.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 核酸検査: nucleic acid test (PCR test)
- 核酸の構造: structure of nucleic acids
- 核酸医薬品: nucleic acid therapeutics
- 核酸を抽出する: to extract nucleic acids
RELATED TERMS:
- DNA (ディーエヌエー): deoxyribonucleic acid — one of the two types of nucleic acid
- RNA (アールエヌエー): ribonucleic acid — the other type of nucleic acid
- 遺伝子: gene — a functional unit of nucleic acid
- 塩基: base (chemistry) — the building blocks of nucleic acid sequences