What is the primary component of nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are primarily composed of nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made up of three components: a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and a nitrogenous base. These nucleotides link together in long chains to form the structure of nucleic acids, allowing for the storage and transmission of genetic information. The unique sequences of nitrogenous bases within the nucleotides encode the genetic instructions necessary for the growth, development, and functioning of all living organisms. This fundamental role of nucleotides in constructing nucleic acids illustrates their importance in biological processes such as replication, transcription, and translation.