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Characteristics of the Genetic Code

The document outlines the characteristics of the genetic code, which include being linear, triplet, universal, degenerate, non-overlapping, and unambiguous. It explains that codons consist of three DNA bases and specifies the role of start and stop codons in protein synthesis. Additionally, it highlights the redundancy of the genetic code and provides examples of unusual codons in various organisms.

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14 views15 pages

Characteristics of the Genetic Code

The document outlines the characteristics of the genetic code, which include being linear, triplet, universal, degenerate, non-overlapping, and unambiguous. It explains that codons consist of three DNA bases and specifies the role of start and stop codons in protein synthesis. Additionally, it highlights the redundancy of the genetic code and provides examples of unusual codons in various organisms.

Uploaded by

baklolpathak6
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Genetic code

Dr. Subhashini
Assistant professor
Zoology, MMV,
Banaras Hindu University

2nd SEM Elementary Biochemistry


Characteristics of genetic code
1. Linear
2. Triplet
3. Universal
4. Degeneracy
5. Non overlapping and non punctuated
6. Start and stop
7. Nonambigious
Linear
• DNA is a linear polynucleotide chain and a
protein is a linear polypeptide chain. The
sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide
chain corresponds to the sequence of
nucleotide bases in the gene (DNA) that codes
for it.
Triplet
The Crick, Brenner experiment first demonstrated that codons
consist of three DNA bases. Marshall Nirenberg and
Heinrich J. Matthaei was the first to reveal the nature of a
codon in 1961. Each word within the mRNA contains three
ribonucleotide letters. Each group of three ribonucleotide called a
codon specifies one amino acid and hence the code is triplet
Universal
Same code is used throughout all the life forms being universal in
nature. Universal genetic code is a common language for almost all
organisms to translate nucleotide sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) to amino acid sequences of proteins
[Link]. Organism or Codon Universal code Unusual code
cell organelle
1. UGA Stop Tryptophan
2. Mitochondria AUG and AUA AUG for methionine AUA also coding
methionine
3. AGA and AGG Arginine Stop codn
4. Drosophila AGA and AGG Arginine Serins
5. Mycoplasm, UGA Stop Tryptophan
Spiroplasm
6. Acetabula UAA and UAG Stop Glutamate
ria
7. E. Coli GUG and UUG Valine and Leucine Start coden
Degeneracy
Degeneracy is the redundancy of the genetic code which means
given amino acid can be specified by more than one triplet codon
Start and stop codon

The most common start codon is AUG, which is read as methionine or, in
bacteria, as formylmethionine.
Alternative start codons include "GUG" or "UUG"; these codons normally
represent valine and leucine, respectively, but as start codons they are
translated as methionine or formylmethionine.
The three stop codons have names: UAG is amber, UGA
is opal (sometimes also called umber), and UAA is ochre. Stop codons are
also called "termination" or "nonsense" codons as they encode no amino
acid.
Nonambiguous

A given codon always codes for a particular


amino acid, wherever it is present.

Each codon specifies one amino acid only.

UAU codes for only Tyrosine and none other


amino acid.

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