What are nucleic acids primarily composed of?

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are primarily composed of nucleotide subunits. Each nucleotide is made up of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (such as ribose in RNA or deoxyribose in DNA), and one of several nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil). This structure is essential because it allows nucleic acids to carry genetic information and participate in processes such as protein synthesis.

The composition of nucleic acids is fundamental to their function in biology, enabling them to store, transmit, and express genetic information. The specific arrangement of the nitrogenous bases, along with the sugar and phosphate backbone, forms the unique sequences found in DNA and RNA, which are crucial for directing cellular activities and inheritance.

While other macromolecules such as carbohydrates and proteins serve important roles in cellular function and structure, they are distinct in both composition and function from nucleic acids.