What role do nitrogenous bases play in DNA?

Nitrogenous bases are essential components of DNA that directly contribute to the formation of the genetic code. Each base pairs specifically with another base (adenine with thymine, and guanine with cytosine) through hydrogen bonds, creating the rungs of the DNA double helix. The sequence of these bases encodes the genetic information necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms.

This coding is fundamental to the processes of transcription and translation, where the information in DNA is converted into RNA and then into proteins, respectively. The unique sequences of nitrogenous bases, therefore, serve as instructions for building proteins and determining the traits of an organism. This intricate system of base pairing and sequencing forms the foundation of heredity and biological diversity.