Infographic illustration depicting the role that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) plays in the cell's production of proteins. DNA is a long chain molecule composed of four nucleotides (circled at top). The specific order in which nucleotides are arranged makes a gene. One gene produces one protein. Genes are tightly would into unique, compact structures called chromosomes, which are located within the cell's nucleus. Each chromosome carries thousands of genes. Protein synthesis (circled at bottom) occurs outside of the nucleus within the cytoplasm. Once protein is formed it then embarks on a complex journey, interacting with other proteins and cellular components to perform functions for the cell's survival. Many proteins are packaged into lipid vesicles and exported to interact with other cells (lower right).