Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) AS Biology Practice Exam

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are the primary macromolecules responsible for encoding genetic information. DNA stores the genetic blueprint for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. It consists of sequences of nucleotides, which are the building blocks containing the genetic code.

When cells need to access the information stored in DNA, they transcribe segments of it into RNA, specifically messenger RNA (mRNA), which then serves as a template for protein synthesis during translation. This process ultimately leads to the expression of genes, which dictate the traits and functions of an organism.

In contrast, carbohydrates are mainly involved in energy storage and structural functions, proteins play crucial roles in various biological processes but do not encode genetic information, and lipids are primarily associated with energy storage and membrane structure. Therefore, nucleic acids are uniquely qualified for the role of encoding genetic information.