Answer:The characteristic of DNA that determines the structures of proteins and the expression of traits is its sequence of nucleotides.
DNA is made up of a sequence of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The sequence of these nitrogenous bases along the DNA molecule is what determines the genetic information.
When a gene is expressed, the DNA sequence is transcribed into a molecule called mRNA, which carries the genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes in the cell. The sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is then translated into a sequence of amino acids, which form proteins.
Proteins are the key players in determining the structures and functions of cells. The sequence of amino acids in a protein determines its three-dimensional structure, which in turn determines its function. Different proteins have different functions, such as enzymes, hormones, and structural components of cells.
Therefore, it is the sequence of nucleotides in DNA that ultimately determines the structures of proteins and the expression of traits.
Explanation :)