What type of macromolecules are carriers of hereditary information in living organisms?

Nucleic acids are the macromolecules responsible for carrying hereditary information in living organisms. They include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA serves as the primary genetic material, encoding the instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It is structured as a double helix and contains sequences of nucleotides that determine genetic traits.

RNA, while primarily involved in the process of translating this genetic information into proteins, also plays various roles in regulating gene expression and catalyzing biological reactions. Together, these nucleic acids ensure the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information across generations, making them essential for heredity. This fundamental role distinguishes nucleic acids from proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which serve different biological functions such as enzyme catalysis, energy storage, and structural integrity, but do not carry genetic information.