Nucleic acids include RNA and DNA. What is the role of these organic macromolecules?
a
Insulation and long term energy storage
b
Main source of energy for all living things
c
Storage and expression of genetic information
d
Direct components of structural parts of cells/organisms
c
Storage and expression of genetic information
The correct answer is c) Storage and expression of genetic information.
Nucleic acids, specifically RNA and DNA, play a crucial role in storing and expressing genetic information in living organisms. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) acts as the genetic code for all living things and is responsible for storing and transmitting hereditary information from one generation to another. It is found in the nucleus of cells and contains the instructions for building and maintaining the structures and functions of an organism.
RNA (ribonucleic acid), on the other hand, plays a role in the expression of genetic information. It is involved in the process of transcription and translation, where specific segments of DNA are transcribed into RNA, and then translated into proteins. RNA acts as a messenger molecule that carries the genetic information from the DNA to the protein-making machinery in the cell.
In summary, nucleic acids, such as RNA and DNA, are essential for storing and expressing genetic information in living organisms.