Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins?

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins?

a. provide structural components

b. catalyze reactions in the cells

c. transport substances through the bloodstream

d. store the genetic information of a living organism

e. movement of muscles

Answer: d. store the genetic information of a living organism

Proteins are amongst the macromolecules which have diverse functions in living organisms. They act as cellular machine tools as they help in structure formation as well as in biochemical reactions; they act as biological catalysts in biochemical reactions; they act as transport proteins that transport substances across the cell membrane; and also, as the protein that helps in muscle contraction. Therefore, proteins do not play a role in the process of gene expression and hence in the process of transferring genetic information. DNA and RNA are considered a type of macromolecule that is involved in the inheritance of traits of an organism – nucleic acids. DNA has the genes that encode proteins while RNA plays a role in protein synthesis. Thus, the avoidance of giving prominence to the role of proteins in the storage of genetic information becomes inevitable; in other words, it is shown that the storage of genetic information is the principal function of nucleic acid.