Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
DNA has three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and nitrogenous bases (A, T, G, C). The sugar and phosphate make the backbone.
Step 2: Which part carries information:
Genetic information is stored in the order in which the bases appear along the strand. Three bases form a codon that codes for an amino acid.
Step 3: Check the options:
The phosphate group and sugar backbone are the same in every nucleotide, so they cannot differ to carry information. Hydrogen bonds hold the two strands together by pairing bases. So (C) is correct.
Final Answer:
The base sequence carries the genetic message.
\[ \boxed{C:\ \text{Sequence of nitrogenous bases}} \]