Why do cells need hereditary information?

DNA is the blueprint for life, that is, it stores all the information that makes up any living organism. Hereditary information is contained in the genes located on the chromosomes of every cell. Each gene carries the same information. An inherited trait in an individual can be determined by one or more genes, and one gene can affect more than one trait. The human cell contains many thousands of different genes. Genes are segments of DNA molecules. Inserting, deleting, or replacing DNA segments can alter genes. The altered gene can be passed on to every cell that develops from it.