Which molecule is essential for carrying the genetic code from DNA for protein synthesis?

mRNA, or messenger RNA, plays a pivotal role in the process of protein synthesis by acting as a conduit for the genetic information encoded in DNA. During transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is transcribed into mRNA, which then carries this genetic information from the nucleus of the cell to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are synthesized.

The structure of mRNA is designed to complement the strands of DNA, utilizing the bases adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine. This complementary pairing allows mRNA to accurately reflect the sequence of the original DNA code. Once at the ribosome, the mRNA serves as a template for the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide chain, ultimately folding into a functional protein.

In the context of the other molecules mentioned, tRNA (transfer RNA) is crucial for bringing amino acids to the ribosome, while rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is a structural component of ribosomes. Interferon, on the other hand, is a signaling protein involved in the immune response, and does not directly participate in the process of protein synthesis by carrying genetic information. Thus, the essential molecule for conveying the genetic code necessary for protein synthesis is mRNA.