Final answer:
The small blueprint of DNA that carries the code for a specific protein is known as a gene. Genes are organized into units on chromosomes and are responsible for the organism's inherited traits. The genetic code comprises the sequences of nitrogen bases that form codons, each representing an amino acid in proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
What makes a small blueprint of DNA? The correct answer is a) A gene. The units in genetic material can be put in order from the smallest to the largest as follows: C. nitrogen base, D. nucleotide, E. codon, B. gene, and A. chromosome. A gene is a segment of DNA that carries the code for making a specific polypeptide chain. The DNA of a chromosome is encoded with genetic instructions for making proteins, and these instructions are organized into units called genes. Most genes contain the instructions for a single protein, and there can be hundreds or thousands of genes on a single chromosome.
Furthermore, the genetic code consists of sequences of nitrogen bases (A, C, G, U in mRNA) that form code 'words' called codons, where each codon encodes one amino acid. Understanding how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA and RNA is translated into amino acid sequences is crucial in the field of genetics. The genetic code specifies the 20 amino acids that make up proteins, with each amino acid defined by a three-nucleotide sequence known as the triplet codon.
Lastly, an organism's traits are determined by the specific combination of inherited genes, which carry the blueprint for making various proteins that in turn, dictate the phenotype of the organism such as physical characteristics and can lead to diseases.