Nucleic acid is a macromolecule that’s essential for life. The main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (better known as DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Nucleic acids are present in all cells, and they are in charge of storing, transmitting, and expressing genetic information. Cells are essential for life because they perform vital functions like obtaining energy, synthesizing proteins, transporting materials, and reproducing. However, not all living organisms have cells; some, like viruses, use the cells of other organisms for their metabolic and reproductive processes.