[GEMET] Any of several organic acids combined with proteins (DNA or RNA) which exist in the nucleus and protoplasm of all cells. , " [Henderson's] Nucleic acids are very large linear molecules containing C, H, O, N and P, which on partial hydrolysis yield nucleotides and nucleosides, and which are composed of one (RNA) or two (DNA) polynucleotide chains. They are essential components of all living cells, where they are the carriers of genetic information (DNA and mRNA), components of ribosomes (rRNA), and involved in deciphering the genetic code (tRNA). see also DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), genetic code, messenger RNA, nucleotide, polynucleotide, ribosomal RNA, RNA (ribonucleic acid), transfer RNA. \r\n