What is DNA primarily responsible for?

DNA is primarily recognized for its role in the storage of genetic information. It serves as the hereditary material in all living organisms and many viruses, encoding the instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of these entities. The structure of DNA, with its double helix formation and sequence of nucleotide bases, allows it to store vast amounts of information in a compact form.

The specific arrangements of the nucleotide bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) along the DNA strand dictate the genetic blueprint for constructing proteins, which are crucial for a wide range of cellular functions. While DNA certainly plays a role in protein synthesis and gene regulation, its fundamental purpose is to act as the repository for genetic information that is subsequently utilized in these processes.