Which part of a DNA molecule is responsible for the direct coding of specific traits in an organism?

• A. Genes
• B. Hydrogen bonds
• C. Sugar backbone
• D. Phosphate groups

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that DNA is composed of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
2. Recognize that the sequence of nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) in DNA encodes genetic information.
3. Identify that genes are specific sequences of these bases that code for proteins, which in turn determine traits.
4. Note that hydrogen bonds hold the two strands of DNA together but do not code for traits.
5. Acknowledge that the sugar-phosphate backbone provides structural support to the DNA molecule but does not directly code for traits.