Which molecule is known for carrying genetic information within cells?

The molecule known for carrying genetic information within cells is DNA. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, serves as the primary carrier of genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms and many viruses. Its structure, which consists of two long strands forming a double helix, allows it to store vast amounts of information in the sequence of its nucleotide bases.

DNA holds the instructions for building proteins and is critical in processes such as replication, transcription, and translation. During replication, DNA makes copies of itself, ensuring that genetic information can be passed on to new cells. During transcription, specific segments of DNA are copied into RNA, which then plays a role in protein synthesis. This central role in genetics and heredity is what makes DNA integral to the storage and transmission of genetic information.

While RNA also carries genetic information, particularly in various forms such as messenger RNA (mRNA), it serves primarily as a temporary copy of the information needed for protein synthesis rather than a long-term storage medium. RNA polymerase is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template but does not carry genetic information itself. Proteins are essential for numerous functions within the cell but do not store genetic information; they are