What does DNA code for?

What does DNA code for?

• A. Proteins
• B. Lipids
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Nucleic acids

Answer: (A)

DNA holds the instructions for making proteins. Genes are stretches of DNA whose sequence is read to assemble amino acids into proteins. This starts with transcription, where a gene’s instructions are copied into messenger RNA, and then translation, where the ribosome reads the mRNA in codons (three-nucleotide units) and links the corresponding amino acids together. The resulting protein can act as an enzyme, provide structure, transport materials, or send signals—carrying out most of the cell’s work. Lipids and carbohydrates aren’t directly coded by DNA; they’re built through metabolic processes guided by the enzymes that DNA helps produce. Some DNA regions do code for RNA molecules that function on their own, but the classic end product most genes produce is protein, making proteins the best answer.

DNA holds the instructions for making proteins. Genes are stretches of DNA whose sequence is read to assemble amino acids into proteins. This starts with transcription, where a gene’s instructions are copied into messenger RNA, and then translation, where the ribosome reads the mRNA in codons (three-nucleotide units) and links the corresponding amino acids together. The resulting protein can act as an enzyme, provide structure, transport materials, or send signals—carrying out most of the cell’s work. Lipids and carbohydrates aren’t directly coded by DNA; they’re built through metabolic processes guided by the enzymes that DNA helps produce. Some DNA regions do code for RNA molecules that function on their own, but the classic end product most genes produce is protein, making proteins the best answer.