Which molecule contains the genetic information that makes up chromosomes?

The molecule that contains the genetic information making up chromosomes is DNA. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a long polymer made up of repeating units called nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. Each DNA molecule is structured as a double helix, where the sequence of the nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) encodes genetic information necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms.

In cells, DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes, which are tightly packed forms of DNA that ensure efficient packaging and transmission during cell division. Each chromosome carries genes, the specific sequences of DNA that encode proteins or have regulatory functions, thus playing a key role in heredity and variation in organisms.

While RNA is involved in protein synthesis and can have roles in gene regulation, it is not the primary carrier of genetic information in the form of chromosomes. Proteins do perform crucial functions in the cell, such as catalyzing reactions and providing structural support, but they do not contain the genetic blueprint themselves. Lipids primarily make up cell membranes and are not involved in storing genetic information. Thus, DNA stands out