A biological molecule made of chains of nucleotides that stores, transmits, or helps use genetic information.
The two major types of nucleic acids are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA stores most of the genetic information in human cells, while RNA performs several roles in using and regulating that information.
Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides linked together. Their sequence carries biological information that can influence the production and regulation of proteins and other functional molecules.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Nucleotide: the basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, sugar, and one or more phosphate groups.
- Nucleoside: a nitrogenous base attached to a sugar but without a phosphate group.
- Genome: the complete set of genetic material of an organism or other biological entity; a genome consists primarily of nucleic acid.
SEE ALSO
- DNA
- RNA
- Nucleotide
- Nucleoside
- Genome
- Genetic Material