Final answer:
The molecule with a double helix structure containing the genetic code of an organism is DNA. It consists of nucleotide strands made up of sugars, phosphate groups, and nitrogenous bases through hydrogen bonds, and is responsible for storing and transferring genetic information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule that forms a double helix and contains the genetic code of an organism is Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA's structure consists of two (anti-)parallel strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form the iconic double helix. These nucleotide strands are made up of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base that bond together via hydrogen bonds. There are four nitrogenous bases in DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). These bases pair specifically, where A pairs with T, and C pairs with G, through hydrogen bonding, forming the ladder rungs of the DNA structure.
DNA's primary function is to store and transmit genetic information. It contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. These instructions are found within the DNA sequence, which is encoded by the order of the nitrogenous bases. This sequence specifies the genetic instructions necessary for the creation and functioning of proteins and RNA molecules. DNA replication ensures that when a cell divides, its genetic information is passed on to daughter cells, allowing for inheritance of traits.
While DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is different in structure and function. RNA molecules are typically single-stranded and contain uracil (U) instead of thymine. Proteins and carbohydrates do not form genetic material but have different roles in the cell; proteins serve as enzymes, hormones, and structural components, while carbohydrates provide energy and structural support.
In conclusion, the final answer to what takes the form of a double helix and contains the genetic code is DNA (option 1).