Which type of macromolecule is primarily involved in the storage and transfer of genetic information?

Nucleic acids are the type of macromolecule primarily involved in the storage and transfer of genetic information. These macromolecules include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), which play critical roles in the heredity and expression of genes. DNA stores genetic information in its sequence of nucleotides, which can be replicated and passed on to offspring during reproduction. RNA is involved in the transcription and translation processes that convert the genetic information in DNA into proteins.

Proteins, while essential for a variety of biological functions, including catalyzing reactions and providing structure, do not store genetic information themselves. Carbohydrates primarily serve as energy sources and structural components, and lipids are involved in long-term energy storage and membrane formation, not in the storage of genetic information. The unique structures and functions of nucleic acids make them indispensable for the continuity of genetic information across generations.