Nucleic acids are biomolecules containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorous. Nucleic acids are polymers made from individual monomers called nucleotides. Nucleotides consist of three parts: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

The image below shows a more detailed structure of a nucleotide on the left. What makes each nucleotide different is the nitrogen-containing base that is attached to the phosphate group and sugar. The different nitrogenous bases are shown in the image on the left.

Source: Structure of nucleotide and nitrogenous bases, Yellow Tang

There are two main kinds of nucleic acids: ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

DNA is responsible for the long-term storage of information. DNA contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules.

The following are three types of RNA:

• mRNA (messenger)
• tRNA (transfer)
• rRNA (ribosomal)

All three types of RNA help assemble proteins during protein synthesis.

Nucleic Acid Review

2. What are the parts of a nucelotide?

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Sugar, phosphate, and nitrogen base make up the parts of a nucleotide.

3. What are the elements found in nucleic acids?

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Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus are all found in nucleic acids.

4. What are the functions of nucleic acids?

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The two main functions of nucleic acids are to store genetic information and to help make proteins.