Prepare for the Foundations of Biology Exam 1. Dive into key biological concepts with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace the exam with our efficient study methods!

Multiple Choice

What is the genetic material in all cells?

DNA stores the hereditary information in all cellular life. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA encodes genes, and the double-helix structure allows accurate replication so genetic information is inherited during cell division. While RNA plays essential roles in reading and expressing that information—transcribing genes into mRNA and translating into proteins—the actual storage of genetic information in organisms that are made of cells is DNA. (Some viruses use RNA as their genome, but they are not cells, and cellular life uses DNA as the genetic material.)

DNA stores the hereditary information in all cellular life. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA encodes genes, and the double-helix structure allows accurate replication so genetic information is inherited during cell division. While RNA plays essential roles in reading and expressing that information—transcribing genes into mRNA and translating into proteins—the actual storage of genetic information in organisms that are made of cells is DNA. (Some viruses use RNA as their genome, but they are not cells, and cellular life uses DNA as the genetic material.)