What is the difference between Nucleotide and Nucleic Acid?

Nucleic acid and nucleotide are both involved in storing the genetic information inside the nucleus of a cell but has their own functions. The nucleic acid is the polymer of nucleotides while nucleotides are monomers of nucleic acids. The nucleotide is composed of a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group that is attached to a pentose of sugar.

Nucleic acid, on the other hand, makes a chain of nucleotides that are connected by phosphodiester bonds. Nucleotide serves as the energy source and transducers of signals that are polymerized to form RNA or DNA. The nucleic acid is the product of the gene expression thus serves as the storage of genetic information of a cell.