The nucleic acid that provides the master code for protein synthesis is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
DNA contains the genetic instructions that are essential for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms and many viruses. Specifically, DNA carries the genes that code for proteins, which are crucial for various biological functions. The process of protein synthesis begins with transcription, where the information in a specific segment of DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then travels from the nucleus to the ribosome, the site of protein synthesis, where it is translated into a specific protein based on the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA.
In summary, DNA serves as the master blueprint for proteins, guiding the entire process of their synthesis through its transcription into mRNA and subsequent translation into functional proteins.