Which of the following molecules contains the instructions to make proteins?

The molecule that contains the instructions to make proteins is mRNA, or messenger RNA. During the process of transcription, genetic information from DNA is copied into mRNA. This mRNA then serves as the template for translation, where ribosomes read the sequence of codons in the mRNA to assemble amino acids into proteins.

In this context, while DNA is the original blueprint containing all the genetic instructions, it is mRNA that directly conveys these instructions to the ribosomes for protein synthesis. So, mRNA is central to the process, as it facilitates the transfer of information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are synthesized.

Other molecules like glucose and chlorophyll do not play a direct role in encoding instructions for making proteins. Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as an energy source, and chlorophyll is involved in photosynthesis, capturing light energy in plants but does not contribute to protein synthesis. Thus, mRNA stands out as the correct answer in this context.