Question

which statement best describes the relationship between proteins and nucleic acids?
proteins read the instructions that are contained in nucleic acids.
nucleic acids synthesize the amino acids for protein construction.
nucleic acids provide the blueprint for the construction of proteins.
proteins are composed of nucleic acids.

Explanation:

• Proteins do not read instructions. Ribosomes (which have some RNA, a nucleic acid) build proteins based on mRNA (a nucleic acid) instructions.
• Nucleic acids (like mRNA) carry the code, but amino acids are not synthesized by nucleic acids in the context of protein - building (amino acids are taken from the cell's pool).
• Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have the genetic code. DNA is transcribed to mRNA, and mRNA is translated to form proteins. So nucleic acids provide the blueprint.
• Proteins are composed of amino acids, not nucleic acids.

Answer:

Nucleic acids provide the blueprint for the construction of proteins.