Deoxyribonucleic acid

Full definition of deoxyribonucleic acid

Noun

1. (genetics, biochemistry) A nucleic acid found in all living things (and some non-living, see virus); consists of a polymer formed from nucleotides which are shaped into a double helix; it is associated with the transmission of genetic information.

Alternative forms

• desoxyribonucleic acid

Synonyms

• deoxyribose nucleic acid
• desoxyribose nucleic acid

Meronyms

• nucleotide

Related terms

• nucleic acid
• ribonucleic acid (RNA)
• peptide nucleic acid (PNA)
• threose nucleic acid (TNA)
• glycol nucleic acid (GNA)