Which molecule carries genetic information in all cells?

The molecule that carries genetic information in all cells is DNA. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material present in nearly all organisms, including humans, animals, plants, and bacteria. It contains the instructions needed for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of living organisms.

Each DNA molecule is structured as a double helix and is composed of four nucleotide bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. The specific sequence of these bases encodes genetic information, determining the traits and functions of an organism.

While RNA, proteins, and chromosomes also play essential roles in genetics, they do not serve as the primary carrier of genetic information. RNA, for example, is crucial for translating the genetic code from DNA into proteins, whereas proteins are the functional molecules that perform various roles in the cell. Chromosomes are structures within cells that organize and package DNA but, in essence, DNA itself is the molecule that contains and transmits the genetic blueprint.