What is a complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up chromosomes called?

The correct answer, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is a complex molecule that carries the genetic blueprint for all living organisms. DNA is composed of two long strands that form a double helix structure, and these strands are made up of sequences of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The specific sequences of these nucleotides encode the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of organisms.

In the context of chromosomes, DNA is tightly coiled around proteins called histones, allowing it to fit within the nucleus of a cell. These structures ensure that DNA is properly organized and protected, enabling the processes of replication and gene expression.

Other choices, while related to genetics, do not specifically represent the complex molecule that comprises genetic information. RNA, for instance, plays a critical role in translating and expressing the genetic information encoded by DNA, but it is typically single-stranded and distinct from the double-stranded structure of DNA. Proteins are the end products of gene expression and are essential for biological function, but they do not carry genetic information themselves. Chromatin represents the material that makes up chromosomes, consisting of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, but it