Which statement is true about the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes?

Which statement is true about the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes?

• A. DNA is made of lipids.
• B. Chromosomes are made of RNA.
• C. Genes are located on chromosomes.
• D. Genes are not located on chromosomes.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how genetic material is organized: DNA carries the instructions, genes are specific segments of DNA that code for products, and chromosomes are the structures that package and carry many genes. DNA is a long polymer built from nucleotides, not lipids. Genes are particular sequences within DNA that encode proteins or RNA. Chromosomes are long DNA molecules packaged with proteins, and they provide the locations where genes reside—their positions on the chromosome are called loci. Because genes are specific sequences on DNA and chromosomes are the organized carriers of these DNA molecules, genes are located on chromosomes. The other statements don’t fit this organization: DNA isn’t made of lipids, chromosomes aren’t made of RNA, and saying genes aren’t on chromosomes would ignore the way genes are defined.

The main idea is how genetic material is organized: DNA carries the instructions, genes are specific segments of DNA that code for products, and chromosomes are the structures that package and carry many genes. DNA is a long polymer built from nucleotides, not lipids. Genes are particular sequences within DNA that encode proteins or RNA. Chromosomes are long DNA molecules packaged with proteins, and they provide the locations where genes reside—their positions on the chromosome are called loci. Because genes are specific sequences on DNA and chromosomes are the organized carriers of these DNA molecules, genes are located on chromosomes. The other statements don’t fit this organization: DNA isn’t made of lipids, chromosomes aren’t made of RNA, and saying genes aren’t on chromosomes would ignore the way genes are defined.