What is DNA?

• A. A carbohydrate that stores energy
• B. A lipid that forms cell membranes
• C. A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
• D. A protein that catalyzes reactions

Answer: (C)

DNA is a complex molecule that contains the genetic information found in chromosomes. It is a polymer built from nucleotides, each with a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these bases encodes genes and the instructions for building and regulating an organism’s proteins. In most cells, DNA is organized into chromosomes and typically forms a double helix through base pairing (A with T, C with G). DNA is passed from one generation to the next and serves as the template for transcription and protein synthesis. It is not a carbohydrate, lipid, or protein.