What type of nucleic acid passes along genetic messages?

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) plays a crucial role in the process of passing along genetic messages. While Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) serves as the main repository of genetic information in a cell, it is RNA that primarily translates and transmits this information during protein synthesis.

RNA is involved in multiple functions essential for expressing genes. Messenger RNA (mRNA), for instance, is transcribed from DNA and carries the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. This makes RNA vital for translating genetic information into functional products, encoding the specific sequences of amino acids that form proteins.

In contrast, while proteins are important biological molecules, they do not directly carry genetic messages. Plasmids, which are small, circular DNA molecules found in some bacteria, can carry genetic information but are not the main players in passing genetic messages within the context of cellular processes. Thus, RNA’s role in communicating genetic information and facilitating the expression of genes fundamentally underlines its significance in biology.