Which term describes the set of instructions in DNA for building a protein?

Which term describes the set of instructions in DNA for building a protein?

• A. Genome
• B. Haploid
• C. Genetic code
• D. Genotype

Answer: (C)

The set of instructions in DNA for building a protein is provided by the genetic code. It’s the mapping that tells the cell which amino acid each codon (a sequence of three nucleotides) corresponds to, and how to start and stop protein synthesis. Through transcription, DNA is copied into mRNA, and during translation the ribosome reads the codons and uses this code to assemble the amino acids into a protein. The genome refers to all genetic material in an organism, haploid describes the number of chromosome sets, and genotype is the specific genetic makeup—not the translation rules themselves. So the genetic code best describes how DNA instructions are translated into a protein.

The set of instructions in DNA for building a protein is provided by the genetic code. It’s the mapping that tells the cell which amino acid each codon (a sequence of three nucleotides) corresponds to, and how to start and stop protein synthesis. Through transcription, DNA is copied into mRNA, and during translation the ribosome reads the codons and uses this code to assemble the amino acids into a protein. The genome refers to all genetic material in an organism, haploid describes the number of chromosome sets, and genotype is the specific genetic makeup—not the translation rules themselves. So the genetic code best describes how DNA instructions are translated into a protein.