Explain
What does it mean to say that DNA is the genetic material?
1 answer
To say that DNA is the genetic material means that DNA is the molecule responsible for carrying the genetic information in living organisms. It is located in the nucleus of cells and contains instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of an organism. DNA is composed of nucleotides, which are made up of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base (adenine, thymine, guanine, or cytosine). The sequence of these bases in DNA determines the genetic code, which provides instructions for the synthesis of proteins, the building blocks of cells. The replication and transmission of DNA during cell division ensures that genetic information is passed on from one generation to the next, making it the fundamental molecule responsible for inheritance and genetic traits.