Nucleic Acid

Collective chemical term including DNA and RNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) carries the genetic information in most organisms. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in the transfer and expression of genetic information.

Chemically speaking, DNA and RNA are acids. Because they are located in the nucleus, they are called nucleic acids.

The building blocks of nucleic acids are nucleotides, each consisting of a phosphoric acid unit, a sugar molecule, and a "base". These building blocks link together forming long strands. In the case of the DNA, two strands match up to form the famous double helix.