There are two main types of nucleic acids:

* Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): Stores and transmits genetic information.

* Ribonucleic acid (RNA): Involved in protein synthesis and other cellular processes.

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids. Each nucleotide consists of three components:

* A sugar molecule: Deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA.

* A phosphate group: A negatively charged molecule.

* A nitrogenous base: One of five possible bases:

* Adenine (A)

* Guanine (G)

* Cytosine (C)

* Thymine (T) - found only in DNA

* Uracil (U) - found only in RNA

The sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid molecule determines the genetic information it carries.