Genetic Code
The genetic code is the set of rules by which the
information stored in DNA or mRNA is translated into
the amino acid sequence of a protein. It relates the
sequence of nucleotide bases in mRNA to the sequence
of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Definition
A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA
that specifies a particular amino acid or a termination
signal during protein synthesis.
There are four nucleotide bases (A, U, G, C), the number
of possible codons is 64 that code for 20 amino acids
and stop signals.
Characteristics of the Genetic Code
1. Triplet Code
Each codon consists of three nucleotides.
Example:
AUG → Methionine
UUU → Phenylalanine
2. Unambiguous (Specific)
Each codon specifies only one amino acid.
Example: UUU always codes for phenylalanine.
3. Degenerate (Redundant)
More than one codon may code for the same amino acid.
Example:
UUU and UUC both code for phenylalanine.
4. Non-Overlapping
A nucleotide belongs to only one codon at a time.
Codons are read sequentially.
5. Commaless
Codons are read continuously without punctuation
between them.
6. Nearly Universal
The same genetic code is used by almost all organisms,
from bacteria to humans, with a few exceptions (e.g.,
mitochondrial DNA).