核酸

• Reading: かくさん
• Romaji: kakusan
• Kanji breakdown: 核 (kaku) — nucleus, core; 酸 (san) — acid
• Pronunciation: /ka.kɯ.saɴ/

Meaning

Nucleic acid; the class of biological molecules including DNA and RNA, which carry genetic information and direct protein synthesis.

A technical biochemistry term: 核 (nucleus) + 酸 (acid). 核酸 encompasses both デオキシリボ核酸 (DNA) and リボ核酸 (RNA). It is fundamental to molecular biology, genetics, and medicine. In the context of N1 science vocabulary, this term appears in discussions of genetic engineering, vaccines (特にmRNAワクチン — mRNA vaccines), and biotechnology. The plural is simply 核酸 as Japanese does not grammatically distinguish singular and plural.

Examples

1. 核酸は遺伝情報を担う高分子化合物であり、DNAとRNAの2種類が存在する。 Nucleic acids are high-molecular compounds that carry genetic information, and exist in two types: DNA and RNA.
2. mRNAワクチンは、核酸を体内に導入することで免疫反応を誘導する仕組みだ。 mRNA vaccines work by introducing nucleic acids into the body to induce an immune response.
3. 核酸の塩基配列を解読することで、生物の進化的関係を明らかにすることができる。 By decoding the base sequence of nucleic acids, the evolutionary relationships among organisms can be revealed.

Usage Guide

Context: biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, medicine, biotechnology

Tone: technical, academic

Origin & History

Meiji-era Sino-Japanese translation coinage: 核 (kaku) — nucleus, core + 酸 (san) — acid. Coined to render the biochemical concept of 'nucleic acid' from Western chemistry. The term established itself in Japanese biology and medical education.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated