Which nucleic acids are essential for life?

Nucleic acids, specifically RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), are fundamental molecules necessary for all forms of life. DNA serves as the hereditary material that carries genetic information crucial for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. It provides the instructions for building proteins through the process of transcription and translation, which are key functions in cellular processes.

On the other hand, RNA plays several vital roles, including the synthesis of proteins as messenger RNA (mRNA) and playing critical roles in ribosomes as ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and as transfer RNA (tRNA), which help in translating the genetic code into functional proteins. Additionally, RNA can have other roles, such as in gene regulation and catalyzing biochemical reactions.

The other options consist of biomolecules that, while important for various functions in living organisms, do not fall under the category of nucleic acids. Glucose and glycogen are carbohydrates related to energy storage and metabolism, while insulin and hemoglobin are proteins involved in regulatory and transport functions in the body. Lastly, proteins and lipids are essential macromolecules, but they do not comprise nucleic acids themselves. This highlights the unique and indispensable roles that RNA and DNA