Final answer:
RNA and DNA are types of nucleic acids, with DNA providing genetic information and RNA helping in protein synthesis. DNA is double-stranded and forms a double helix, while RNA is typically single-stranded.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Nucleic Acids
RNA and DNA are both examples of macromolecules made from nucleic acids. DNA is the molecule that encodes the genetic information in each cell. When DNA and proteins bind together to make chromosomes, this new structure is called a nucleosome. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins, and nucleotides are the building blocks for RNA.
Nucleic acids are vital for the continuity of life as they carry the genetic blueprint of a cell and provide instructions for cellular functionality. Both types of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, consist of long chains of nucleotides, which include a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group. DNA is known for its iconic double-helical structure and contains the genetic instructions for constructing proteins, whereas RNA acts as an intermediary in the process of protein synthesis by using the information encoded in DNA.
The sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA constitutes the genetic code that is critical for synthesizing proteins, and this code is transmitted from parents to offspring during reproduction, explaining the inheritance of traits through generations.