What is the role of DNA in organismal growth?

What is the role of DNA in organismal growth?

• A. DNA provides energy for growth.
• B. DNA acts as a template for cell proliferation, ensuring new cells have the same genetic information.
• C. DNA directly builds proteins.
• D. DNA stores nutrients.

Answer: (B)

DNA’s role in growth is to provide the genetic blueprint that is faithfully copied and passed to daughter cells during division. As an organism grows, cells proliferate, and each new cell must receive an identical set of genes to function properly. DNA is replicated so the same genetic information is present in all descendants, guiding development and maintenance of tissues. While proteins that carry out growth are made later through transcription and translation, and energy for growth comes from cellular metabolism, DNA itself is not a source of energy or nutrients, nor does it directly build proteins. That faithful replication and distribution of genetic information is why this statement best describes DNA’s role in organismal growth.

DNA’s role in growth is to provide the genetic blueprint that is faithfully copied and passed to daughter cells during division. As an organism grows, cells proliferate, and each new cell must receive an identical set of genes to function properly. DNA is replicated so the same genetic information is present in all descendants, guiding development and maintenance of tissues. While proteins that carry out growth are made later through transcription and translation, and energy for growth comes from cellular metabolism, DNA itself is not a source of energy or nutrients, nor does it directly build proteins. That faithful replication and distribution of genetic information is why this statement best describes DNA’s role in organismal growth.