What carries the genetic information in cells?

The correct answer is DNA, as it is the molecule responsible for carrying and storing the genetic information in cells. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It is composed of two long strands that coil around each other to form a double helix, with sequences of nucleotides that encode the information required for building proteins, which are essential for various cellular processes.

While RNA (ribonucleic acid) plays a crucial role in the expression of genetic information by serving as a messenger between DNA and protein synthesis, it does not store the genetic information itself; rather, it acts as a temporary copy used during the synthesis of proteins. Proteins are important molecules within cells that perform a multitude of functions but do not carry genetic information; instead, they are synthesized based on the sequences encoded in DNA and conveyed through RNA. Lipids are a class of biomolecules that include fats and oils, which serve primarily as structural components of cell membranes and energy storage but do not play a role in carrying genetic information.