Final answer:
Nucleic acids, consisting of DNA and RNA, are essential macromolecules responsible for storing and transmitting hereditary information and instructions for protein synthesis. DNA holds the genetic information, while RNA translates this information into proteins, thus driving life's continuity and diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nucleic acids, principally DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), are the vital macromolecules that carry the genetic blueprint of a cell and instruct its functions. The primary function of DNA is to store genetic information that dictates cell function and heredity. Through a process called transcription, DNA is used as a template to make RNA, which then carries the instructions for protein synthesis.
The monomer that forms nucleic acids is the nucleotide, featuring a sugar (ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases. These building blocks link together to form the primary structure of nucleic acids — in DNA, this results in a double-stranded helix with complementary base pairing, which is vital for DNA replication, while RNA is typically single-stranded.
Proteins, which determine the structure and function of cells and organisms, are made based on the sequence of nucleotides, which forms the genetic code of an organism. Therefore, nucleic acids are central to life as they not only determine the individual characteristics of each organism but also ensure the continuity of these traits from one generation to the next.