Which of the following best describes DNA?

The best description of DNA is that it serves as the genetic blueprint of an organism. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the instructions needed for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It carries the genetic information vital for the transmission of hereditary traits from one generation to the next.

DNA's structure, a double helix made up of nucleotides, encodes the sequence of amino acids in proteins, which are essential for various functions in the body. This ability to carry and transmit genetic information is what places DNA at the core of understanding genetics and heredity in biology.

While other options mention important biological components, they do not accurately define DNA itself. Ribonucleic acid, for instance, is distinct from DNA, as it primarily serves roles in translating the information coded in DNA into proteins. Additionally, proteins are synthesized through processes that involve RNA, but they are not synonymous with DNA. Cellular energy molecules, such as ATP, serve a different function entirely, focusing on energy transfer rather than genetic information.