http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Chemical Interactions
FIGURE 3.78
Functions of Nucleic Acids
DNA stores genetic information in the cells of all living things. It contains the genetic code. This is the code that
instructs cells how to make proteins. The instructions are encoded in the sequence of nitrogen bases in the nucleotide
chains of DNA. RNA copies and interprets the genetic code in DNA and is also involved in the synthesis of proteins
based on the code. You can watch these events unfolding at the following URL. http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=NJxobgkPEAo
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5093Q:DNA is found only in the nucleus of cells, but proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm of cells, outside of
the nucleus. How do you think the instructions encoded in DNA reach the cytoplasm so they can be used to make
proteins?
A:After RNA copies the instructions in DNA, it carries them from the nucleus to a site of protein synthesis in the
cytoplasm, where the instructions are translated into a protein.