he molecule abbreviated as contains the hereditary information that directs the structure of each cell and its metabolism.

The molecule you are referring to is DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is the hereditary material found in nearly all living organisms and is responsible for carrying genetic information. It contains the instructions needed for an organism's growth, development, reproduction, and functioning.

The structure of DNA is a double helix, comprising two long strands of nucleotides twisted around each other. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) encodes the genetic instructions. During cell division, DNA replicates itself, ensuring that genetic information is passed on to the next generation of cells.

Moreover, DNA governs metabolic processes through its control over the synthesis of proteins, with each segment of DNA, known as a gene, coding for a specific protein. Thus, DNA plays a fundamental role in the molecular basis of heredity and in directing cellular activities, making it central to biology and the life sciences.