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Nucleic acids are essential macromolecules found in all living organisms. The two primary types are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA serves as the blueprint for life, carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA is a double helix structure, with two strands of nucleotides wound around each other. Each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or thymine (T). The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information.

RNA, on the other hand, is typically a single-stranded molecule and plays various roles in protein synthesis and gene regulation. The sugar in RNA is ribose, and uracil (U) replaces thymine. There are several types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), each with specific functions in translating the genetic code from DNA into proteins. DNA is primarily located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, while RNA is found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The fundamental structure and function of nucleic acids are conserved across diverse life forms, highlighting their critical role in biological processes.