[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The DNA sequence contains the instructions to place units called amino acids into a specific order. When these amino acid are assembled in that specific order, proteins are made. In short, DNA contains the instructions to create proteins. Each strand of DNA has many separate sequences that code for a specific protein. Insulin is an example of a protein made by your cells. Units of DNA that contain code for the creation of a protein are called genes. Learn more about protein synthesis and gene expression in this learning module produced by CK-12.