How does DNA contribute to heredity?

How does DNA contribute to heredity?

• A. It determines the environment an organism will thrive in
• B. It carries genetic information passed from parents to offspring
• C. It regulates metabolic functions within the cell
• D. It creates proteins essential for cellular structure

Answer: (B)

DNA is fundamental to heredity because it carries genetic information that is passed from parents to their offspring. This genetic information is stored in the sequence of nucleotides within the DNA molecule, which encodes the instructions for building and maintaining all living organisms. When organisms reproduce, they transmit a portion of their DNA to the next generation, thus ensuring that traits are inherited. During reproduction, whether it be sexual or asexual, the DNA from the parental organisms is replicated and distributed to the new organisms. This transmission of DNA ensures that offspring inherit characteristics from their parents, including physical traits, susceptibility to certain diseases, and various other inherited features. The specific combination of genes inherited from each parent forms the organism's genotype, which ultimately influences its phenotype—the observable traits and characteristics. In contrast to this, the other options do not accurately reflect the role of DNA in heredity. For instance, while DNA does play a role in regulating metabolic functions and creating proteins necessary for cellular structure, these functions are not directly related to the concept of heredity. Additionally, DNA does not determine the environment an organism will thrive in. Instead, environmental factors can influence the expression of genetic traits, but it is the DNA itself that serves as the hereditary material responsible for passing genetic information

DNA is fundamental to heredity because it carries genetic information that is passed from parents to their offspring. This genetic information is stored in the sequence of nucleotides within the DNA molecule, which encodes the instructions for building and maintaining all living organisms. When organisms reproduce, they transmit a portion of their DNA to the next generation, thus ensuring that traits are inherited.

During reproduction, whether it be sexual or asexual, the DNA from the parental organisms is replicated and distributed to the new organisms. This transmission of DNA ensures that offspring inherit characteristics from their parents, including physical traits, susceptibility to certain diseases, and various other inherited features. The specific combination of genes inherited from each parent forms the organism's genotype, which ultimately influences its phenotype—the observable traits and characteristics.

In contrast to this, the other options do not accurately reflect the role of DNA in heredity. For instance, while DNA does play a role in regulating metabolic functions and creating proteins necessary for cellular structure, these functions are not directly related to the concept of heredity. Additionally, DNA does not determine the environment an organism will thrive in. Instead, environmental factors can influence the expression of genetic traits, but it is the DNA itself that serves as the hereditary material responsible for passing genetic information