Nucleic acids are Biomolecules which are found in the nuclei of all living cells, inform of nucleoproteins or chromosomes (proteins containing nucleic acids as the prosthetic group). Nucleic acids are of two types: – deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Nucleic acids are also known as Polynucleotide as they are long- chain polymers of nucleotides.

The two important functions of nucleic acids are listed below:-

(i) DNA which is responsible for the transference of hereditary effects from one generation to another, which is due to their property of replication during cell division as a result of which two identical DNA strands are transferred to the daughter cells.

(ii) Nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA) are responsible for synthesis of all proteins needed for the growth and maintenance of our body. Actually, the proteins are synthesised by various RNA molecules in the cell but the message for the synthesis of a particular protein is given by DNA molecules.