Difference between revisions of "Genetic code"
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| − | '''Genetic code''' is the instructions in a gene that tell the [[cell]] how to make a specific protein. A, T, G, and C are the "letters" of the [[DNA]] code; they stand for the chemicals [[adenine]], [[thymine]], [[guanine]], and [[cytosine]], respectively, that make up the nucleotide bases of DNA. Each gene's code combines the four chemicals in various ways to spell out 3-letter "words" that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in making a protein. | + | '''Genetic code''' is the instructions in a [[gene]] that tell the [[cell]] how to make a specific protein. A, T, G, and C are the "letters" of the [[DNA]] code; they stand for the chemicals [[adenine]], [[thymine]], [[guanine]], and [[cytosine]], respectively, that make up the nucleotide bases of DNA. Each gene's code combines the four chemicals in various ways to spell out 3-letter "words" that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in making a protein. |
All living things use the same genetic code system, however, there exist some viruses that contain only RNA, which has the nucleotide base of [[uracil]] ("U") instead of thymine ("T"). | All living things use the same genetic code system, however, there exist some viruses that contain only RNA, which has the nucleotide base of [[uracil]] ("U") instead of thymine ("T"). | ||
Revision as of 21:24, March 22, 2011
Genetic code is the instructions in a gene that tell the cell how to make a specific protein. A, T, G, and C are the "letters" of the DNA code; they stand for the chemicals adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, respectively, that make up the nucleotide bases of DNA. Each gene's code combines the four chemicals in various ways to spell out 3-letter "words" that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in making a protein. All living things use the same genetic code system, however, there exist some viruses that contain only RNA, which has the nucleotide base of uracil ("U") instead of thymine ("T").
The "word" combinations in more complex genetic strings if written out could literally fill a space as large as an encyclopedia.
Sources
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=genetic%20code%20%28ATGC%29