6.1.A—Describe the structures involved in passing hereditary information from one generation to the next

Describe the structures involved in passing hereditary information from one generation to the next.

• Genetic information is stored in and passed to subsequent generations through DNA molecules and, in some cases, RNA molecules.
  • i. Prokaryotic organisms typically have cir cular chromosomes.
  • ii. Eukaryotic organisms typically have multiple linear chr omosomes that are comprised of DNA. These chromosomes are condensed using histones and associated proteins.
• Prokaryotes and eukaryotes can contain plasmids, which are extra-chromosomal circular molecules of DNA.