Question

while researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • dna stores genetic information in a double - helix structure composed of nucleotides that determine inherited traits. • it was identified as the molecule of heredity through research by james watson and francis crick in the 1950s. • rna was discovered by friedrich miescher in the 19th century. • it carries genetic instructions from dna to ribosomes for protein synthesis. 11 mark for review the student wants to highlight the difference between dna and rna. which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal? a dna and rna both store hereditary information permanently in the nucleus. b dna was discovered before rna, as watson and crick identified it in the 19th century. c rna determines inherited traits in humans, while dna mainly helps synthesize proteins. d dna stores hereditary information, while rna carries those instructions to help build proteins.

Explanation:

• Option A: The notes say RNA carries instructions (not store permanently), so A is wrong.
• Option B: RNA was discovered by Miescher in 19th century, DNA by Watson and Crick in 1950s (20th), so DNA was discovered after RNA, B is wrong.
• Option C: Notes say DNA determines inherited traits, RNA helps protein synthesis, so C swaps their roles, wrong.
• Option D: Matches notes: DNA stores genetic (hereditary) info, RNA carries instructions for protein synthesis.

Answer:

D. DNA stores hereditary information, while RNA carries those instructions to help build proteins.