What is nucleic acid and why is it important?

?Nucleic Acid
Nucleic acid is an important class of macromolecules found in all cells and viruses. The functions of nucleic acids have to do with the storage and expression of genetic information. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encodes the information the cell needs to make proteins.

Explore further detail here. Regarding this, what are the 3 main functions of nucleic acids?

Key Takeaways: Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are macromolecules that store genetic information and enable protein production. Nucleic acids include DNA and RNA. These molecules are composed of long strands of nucleotides. Nucleotides are composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

Subsequently, question is, how will you define nucleic acid? Nucleic acids are the biopolymers, or small biomolecules, essential to all known forms of life. The term nucleic acid is the overall name for DNA and RNA. They are composed of nucleotides, which are the monomers made of three components: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

Additionally, what are two functions of nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are the main information-carrying molecules of the cell, and, by directing the process of protein synthesis, they determine the inherited characteristics of every living thing. The two main classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

What would happen without nucleic acids?

Without DNA, living organisms could not grow. Further, plants could not divide by mitosis, and animals could not exchange genes through meiosis. Most cells simply wouldn't be cells without DNA.