The correct answer is c) nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids, which include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), are the molecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information. DNA contains the instructions for building the proteins necessary for the growth and development of living organisms, while RNA plays a crucial role in translating those instructions into proteins.
Proteins, lipids, steroids, and carbohydrates serve various roles in biological systems, but they do not store or process genetic information in the way that nucleic acids do. For instance, proteins are primarily involved in structural support and catalyzing biochemical reactions; lipids and steroids function in cellular structure and signaling; and carbohydrates serve mainly as energy sources and structural components in cells.