Nucleic acids are large biological molecules essential for all known forms of life. They are made from monomers known as nucleotides made from three components: a phosphate group, a sugar group, and a nitrogen-containing base. There are two main types of nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material found in the nucleus of cells and contains the instructions for an organism's development and characteristics. RNA is a single-stranded molecule that helps in protein synthesis and other cellular processes.