D. Controlling the production of specific proteins.
Explanation:
Genetic material is the main thing that inherited from parents to their offsprings. Gene encodes proteins that will be expressed(produced) when it needed. The protein can be used to build the cell organ, enzyme enzyme that digest food, hormones, and many other things. By inheriting the gene, the offspring will have a similar traits to the parent. The trait can differ a lot for sexual reproduction since only half of each parent gene inherited to the offspring.
