What are nucleic acids ? Mention their two important functions.

Explanation

Nucletic acids are biomolecules which are found in the nuclei of all living cells in form of nucleoproteins or chromosomes (protein containing nucleic acids as the prosthetic group).
Nucletic acids are of two types : deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The two main functions of nucleic acids are :
(i) DNA is responsible for transmission of hereditary effects from one generation to another. This is due to the unique property of replication during cell divison as a result of which two identical DNA strands are transferred to the daughter cells .
(ii) DNA and RNA are responsible for synthesis of all proteins needed for the growth and maintenance of our body. Actually the proteins are synthesized by various RNA molecules (r-RNA , m-RNA and t-RNA) in the cell but the message for the synthesis of a particular protein is given by DNA molecules.