ribonucleic acid
nounUK /ˌraɪbəʊnjuːˌkliːɪk ˈæsɪd/
US /ˌraɪboʊnuːˌkliːɪk ˈæsɪd/
A special molecule in living things that carries instructions for making proteins.
Scientists studied the ribonucleic acid to understand how the cell makes proteins.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A molecule that helps build proteins and can carry genetic information in some viruses.
Some viruses use ribonucleic acid instead of DNA to store their genes.
3. A type of nucleic acid found in the cytoplasm and ribosomes of cells.
Ribosomal ribonucleic acid is a key part of the ribosome.
4. A chain of nucleotides that includes the sugar ribose.
The lab analyzed the ribonucleic acid sample for its sugar content.