What dictates the development and functioning of an organism?

What dictates the development and functioning of an organism?

• A. RNA
• B. Environment
• C. DNA
• D. Proteins

Answer: (C)

DNA provides the genetic blueprint that directs how an organism develops and functions. Its sequence contains the instructions for which genes are expressed, when, and in which cells, guiding growth, differentiation, and physiology through regulated gene expression. Those instructions are read and translated into proteins, which carry out the cellular tasks needed for life. Environment can influence how genes are turned on or off, and proteins execute the work, but the fundamental source of information that shapes development is the DNA. RNA serves as the messenger that conveys that code to the cellular machinery, while proteins are the workhorses that perform the functions encoded by DNA.

DNA provides the genetic blueprint that directs how an organism develops and functions. Its sequence contains the instructions for which genes are expressed, when, and in which cells, guiding growth, differentiation, and physiology through regulated gene expression. Those instructions are read and translated into proteins, which carry out the cellular tasks needed for life. Environment can influence how genes are turned on or off, and proteins execute the work, but the fundamental source of information that shapes development is the DNA. RNA serves as the messenger that conveys that code to the cellular machinery, while proteins are the workhorses that perform the functions encoded by DNA.