What are nucleic acids made up of?

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are polymers composed of repeating units known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made up of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), and a nitrogenous base (which can be adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine in DNA or uracil in RNA). This unique structure allows nucleic acids to store and transmit genetic information within cells.

Understanding that nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids is fundamental in molecular biology, as it underscores how genetic information is encoded and how it functions within biological systems. This knowledge is crucial for anyone studying veterinary technology, as it relates to genetics, molecular biology, and the broader understanding of organismal biology.