Which molecule carries genetic information in most organisms?

• A. RNA
• B. DNA
• C. Proteins
• D. Lipids

Answer: (B)

DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information in most organisms. Its sequence of nucleotides stores genes, and the genome is replicated and inherited when cells divide. This information is read through transcription, where a DNA segment is copied into RNA, and then translated into proteins that perform cellular functions. DNA’s stability and precise replication make it ideal for storing hereditary data across generations, which is why it acts as the universal genetic material in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. There are exceptions, such as some viruses that use RNA as their genome, but in the vast majority of cellular life, DNA is the primary storage of genetic information. Lipids store energy and form membranes, while proteins do the work of cells but do not serve as the primary hereditary material.