What are the differences between nucleotides and nucleic acids?

Nucleotides and nucleic acids play a key role in the storage of genetic information in the nucleus of the cell. The key difference between the two is in their relationship between monomers and polymers of each other. Nucleotides are the building blocks that go into making up nucleic acids.

Nucleotides are monomers. They are composed of a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base, which are attached to a pentose sugar. Nucleotides are linked to each other repeatedly in long strands by the formation of phosphate ester bonds. These long strands of bonded nucleotides make up a nucleic acid.  

Nucleic acids are polymers. They are composed of a chain of nucleotides, which are linked by phosphodiester bonds. The two most common nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. They are an essential part of every living thing.