What is the main function of DNA?

The main function of DNA is to store genetic information and facilitate replication. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, carries the instructions necessary for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. It encodes the information required to produce proteins and maintains the genetic blueprint that is passed from one generation to the next during reproduction.

DNA's capacity for replication is crucial because it ensures that genetic information can be accurately copied and transmitted to daughter cells during cell division. This replication process is fundamental to life, allowing organisms to grow and repair tissues and ensuring that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic instructions.

Other options focus on functions that are not primarily related to DNA. For instance, transporting nutrients is primarily handled by molecules such as proteins and lipids, not DNA. Similarly, the production of energy is mainly a function of cellular processes like cellular respiration, while hormones are generally synthesized by various organs in the body, with DNA playing a role in the coding of the proteins that may act as hormones, but not in their direct production. Therefore, storing information and replication encapsulate the essential role of DNA in biology.