Final answer:
DNA provides the genetic information in a cell, and RNA plays critical roles in protein synthesis, acting as a messenger and assembling proteins at the ribosome according to DNA's instructions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic information of a cell is provided by its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the hereditary material responsible for inheritance. DNA is located in the cell nucleus and carries instructions for the construction of proteins necessary for the cell's functions. The role of RNA (ribonucleic acid) is crucial in the production of proteins. It serves as a messenger between DNA and the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. Specifically, messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA) brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosomes, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is part of the ribosomes themselves, playing a role in the assembly of proteins.
DNA controls cellular activities and genome inheritance, while RNA translates the genetic code into functional proteins, impacting the phenotype of the cell. This flow of information from DNA to RNA to Protein is a fundamental concept known as the central dogma of molecular biology.