Which structure is crucial for hereditary information transmission?

DNA is the molecule that serves as the primary carrier of genetic information in organisms. It contains the instructions needed for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. The structure of DNA, which is a double helix, allows it to store and transmit hereditary information effectively.

DNA is composed of sequences of nucleotides, which are the basic units that encode genetic information through their arrangement. During cellular processes such as replication, DNA is duplicated, ensuring that genetic information is passed on during cell division. Additionally, DNA undergoes transcription to produce RNA, which then translates into proteins. Hence, while RNA and proteins are also vital for cellular functions, it is DNA that is fundamentally responsible for the inheritance of traits from one generation to the next.

In contrast, glucose is a simple sugar that serves as an energy source for living cells, but it does not directly play a role in the transmission of hereditary information. Therefore, the role DNA plays in heredity and genetic coding makes it the crucial structure for hereditary information transmission.