1. How do living cells use the instructions in their DNA to perform tasks?

By undergoing Gene expression (transcription and translation)

Explanation:

The deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA is the nucleic acid that stores genetic material in living organisms. It contains segments called GENES that carry information for the synthesis of useful products used to perform tasks in living organisms called PROTEINS.

However, the information in these genes need to be expressed by the processes of transcription and translation. Transcription involves the synthesis of mRNA from a DNA molecule while translation involves synthesis of proteins (amino acid chain) from mRNA.

The proteins are the biomolecules that carry out the tasks in living organisms as hormones, enzymes etc.

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