What is one key function of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids?

The key function of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids is to form the genetic code. Nitrogenous bases are the fundamental components of DNA and RNA, specifically adenine, thymine (uracil in RNA), cytosine, and guanine. These bases pair in specific ways (adenine with thymine or uracil, and cytosine with guanine) to create the rungs of the helical structure of DNA. The sequence of these bases encodes genetic information, determining the characteristics and biological functions of organisms. This sequence is crucial for the processes of replication, transcription, and translation, which ultimately lead to protein synthesis and the expression of genes. The genetic code is essentially a set of instructions for building an organism, making nitrogenous bases vital to the storage and transmission of genetic information.