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nucleic acids (noo-kleŽik)   extremely complex, long-chain compounds of high molecular weight that occur naturally in the cells of all living organisms and constitute the non–amino acid components of nucleoproteins. They form the genetic material of the cell and direct the synthesis of protein within the cell. Nucleic acids are composed of repeating smaller units called nucleotides that are made up of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group. The two major classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).




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