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Which statement accurately describes genes?

  1. Proteins are made of genes that code for DNA.

  2. Genes are made of proteins that code for nitrogen bases.

  3. DNA is made of carbohydrates that code for genes.

  4. Genes are made of DNA and code for proteins.

The correct answer is: Genes are made of DNA and code for proteins.

Genes are segments of DNA that serve as the instructions for synthesizing proteins, which are crucial for the structure and function of an organism. Each gene corresponds to a specific sequence of amino acids that form a protein. This relationship is foundational to the central dogma of molecular biology, which states that DNA is transcribed into RNA, and then translated into proteins. By defining genes as parts of DNA that code for the production of proteins, this answer encapsulates the role of genes in biological processes. It highlights how genetic information is stored and used in living organisms, establishing genes as the basic units of heredity. Understanding this function is essential for grasping how traits are inherited and expressed in organisms.