Genetic material refers to the molecules that carry the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms. The primary types of genetic material are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA is typically found in the nucleus of cells and contains the genes that determine an organism's traits, while RNA plays a crucial role in translating those genes into proteins. In most organisms, DNA is structured as a double helix, composed of nucleotide sequences. These sequences are made up of four bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The specific order of these bases encodes the information necessary for building and maintaining an organism, making genetic material essential for life.