Final answer:
The three main functions of DNA are information storage, replication, and protein synthesis which are essential for genetic inheritance, cell division, and the formation of proteins, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Main Functions of DNA
The three main functions of DNA are information storage, replication, and protein synthesis. DNA contains the genetic blueprint for living organisms and it serves critically in their growth, development, and function.
Information Storage
DNA is revered as the molecular medium of genetic information that determines the traits passed from parents to offspring. This hereditary information not only governs physical characteristics but also biochemical processes necessary for life.
Replication
For cellular division and the perpetuation of life, DNA must replicate to ensure each new cell has a complete and accurate set of genetic instructions. This replication process results in two identical sets of DNA, each to be bestowed to a daughter cell.
Protein Synthesis
Through the processes of transcription and translation, DNA dictates the amino acid sequence of proteins, the workhorses that carry out a myriad of functions within cells. Proteins, coded by genes, form the structural components of cells and catalyze biochemical reactions, ultimately defining an organism's phenotype.