Final answer:
The two types of nucleic acids are DNA, which stores genetic information, and RNA, which plays a role in protein synthesis and regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the carrier of genetic information in all living organisms, found both in eukaryotes, within the nucleus, chloroplasts, and mitochondria, and in a non-membrane enclosed form in prokaryotes. By contrast, RNA is typically single-stranded and plays an essential role in protein synthesis and regulation. Together, DNA and RNA are critical for maintaining and transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next, and for the day-to-day functioning of cells.