DNA AND GENES
The genetic code
This refers to the way genetic information is encoded or arranged on the DNA strand. It is a known fact that
a lot of genetic information is stored and transmitted by the DNA molecule.
Such information is arranged in form of a code of base pairs on the DNA strand. To be able to utilize this
information e.g. during the manufacture of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, hormones, etc. the code must
be read and interpreted correctly and the secret information released and transformed into products.
Reading the code
A code (DNA) is usually located in the nucleus yet the products of reading it are found in the cytoplasm.
Therefore, information has to be transferred from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in order to make the
products. Both transfer and utilization of information is done through a special molecule called RNA. This is
a nucleic acid that has the capacity to move out of the nucleus therefore transfer information.
What is a gene?
It is a unit of hereditary located on the positions called gene loci on the chromosome. Genes who code for
polypeptides are of two groups:
1) Structural genes: these code for function of proteins e.g. enzymes, hormones, antibodies, etc.
2) Regulatory genes: these serve to control the activity of other genes.
The DNA strand has two regions;
i) The split gene area, which is the coded area and made up of coding sequences known as exons.
ii) The non-coding area is made up of redundant DNA and is composed of non-coding sequences called
introns. The function of introns is unknown.
The code dictionary/genetic code
The genetic code is a set of rules by which information encoded within genetic material is translated into
proteins by living cells. There are four bases on the DNA strand that are used for coding of amino acids.
Their combination ought to give a coding total of 20 amino acids found in the body. If each base was on its
own codes for an amino acid, only four amino acids would be coded. If the bases acted in pairs only 16
amino acids would be coded. In both cases, 20 amino acids are not arrived at it. It therefore appears
reasonable to theorize that 3 base pairs are required for coding an amino acid.
Having established that each amino acid is determined by a triplet base pair, it has been used to establish
and read the code dictionary. The three base pair hypothesis means that to code for the 20 amino acids
occurring in the body, 64 possible combinations exist. The 44 combinations are not used in amino acid
coding and are referred to as degenerate or nonsense codons/stop codons. Because of this, more than one
but nearly similar triplet can code for an amino acid.
The three bases of an mRNA codon are designated here as the first, second, and third bases, reading in
the 5` to 3` direction along the mRNA. () the codon AUG not only stands for the amino acid methionine
(met) but also functions as a “start” signal for ribosomes to begin translating the mRNA at that point. Three
of the 64 codons function as “stop” signals, marking the end of a genetic message.
General characteristics of the genetic code
i) Universal: This means that the same codons are used to specify the same amino acids in all forms of
life.
ii) The code is degenerate i.e. more than one codon can code for one amino acid. Some amino acids like
methionine and tryptophan are coded by only one codon but many others are coded by several
codons. Therefore, a code has excess codons. These codons are known as synonymous.
iii) The code is non-ambiguous i.e. no one codon can code for more than one amino acid.
iv) The genetic code is triplet i.e. it has got three bases.
v) The principle of co-linearity: It is collinear because the sequence of codons on the mRNA
corresponds to that of the amino acid on the polypeptide chain. The linear order of nucleotides in DNA
determines the linear order of codons in mRNA.
vi) Non-over lapping except in some viruses. From the starting of mRNA the sequence of bases read in
blocks of three, correspond to the sequence of amino acids, without any overlapping of bases. For
example if the bases from the starting are AUGCCAAUC the sequence of codons is AUG/CCA/AUC
and not AUG/GCC/CAA/AUG. No single base in a sequence takes part in the formation of more than
one codon.
vii) Non sense/termination codons: Some triplets do not code for any amino acids i.e. they punctuate the
process of protein synthesis. They include UAA, UAG and UGA.
viii) The genetic code has initiation or start codons. AUG specifies methionine, AUG when present at the
first position of the mRNA, acts as a start signal thus called start codon. It means all polypeptides begin
with the first amino acid as methionine which is later removed enzymatically. If AUG appears in the
middle of mRNA, it simply codes for methionine.
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“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” (Napoleon Hill, 1983).
Kugonza H. Arthur @0701366474 Page 39