What role does DNA play in cell function and the division of the cell?

All major functions of DNA depend on interactions with proteins.

Cell functions :

• Transcription
  It is the process in which RNA strands are created using DNA strands as a template.

• Translation
  Under a genetic code , these RNA strands are translated to specify the sequence of amino acids within proteins in a process called translation.
  The relationship between the nucleotide sequences of genes and the amino acid sequence of proteins is determined by the rules of translation collectively called as the genetic code.

Division of cells :

• Replication
  In eukaryotic cells DNA is organised into long structures called chromosomes. During cell division , these chromosomes are duplicated in the process of DNA replication providing each cell with its own set of chromosomes.