What does the genetic code determine?

The genetic code is a set of rules that dictates how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA is translated into the corresponding amino acid sequence in proteins. Each group of three nucleotides, known as a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. This relationship is fundamental to cellular function, as proteins play essential roles in virtually all biological processes.

The accuracy of this code ensures that the correct amino acids are linked together in the proper order to form functional proteins, which are crucial for the structure and function of cells. This process occurs during translation, where ribosomes read the mRNA transcribed from DNA, using the genetic code to assemble the protein by linking the appropriate amino acids.