What type of information do nucleic acids carry for the cell?

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are essential molecules that function primarily in the storage and transmission of genetic information within a cell. The structure of DNA allows it to store instructions for building and maintaining an organism, essentially encoding the blueprint for all biological functions.

The information carried by nucleic acids is organized in sequences of nucleotides, which directly dictate the synthesis of proteins through processes like transcription and translation. This genetic code dictates everything from the traits of an organism to how it responds to environmental changes.

In contrast, enzymatic activity details, energy production pathways, and structural component instructions pertain to other biological processes and molecules. While these may involve proteins (which are coded by nucleic acids), they do not represent the primary role of nucleic acids themselves. Thus, the coded genetic information is the fundamental aspect of nucleic acids that underpins all cellular activities.