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Understanding the Genetic Code Basics

The genetic code consists of codons made up of three nitrogen bases that specify amino acids during protein synthesis, with 20 different amino acids involved. Key characteristics include being a triplet code, non-overlapping, commaless, and universal across all living organisms. Mutations can alter the DNA sequence, leading to changes in genotype and phenotype, and can result in frame-shift or point mutations.

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14 views6 pages

Understanding the Genetic Code Basics

The genetic code consists of codons made up of three nitrogen bases that specify amino acids during protein synthesis, with 20 different amino acids involved. Key characteristics include being a triplet code, non-overlapping, commaless, and universal across all living organisms. Mutations can alter the DNA sequence, leading to changes in genotype and phenotype, and can result in frame-shift or point mutations.

Uploaded by

harshad.08j
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

 About 20 different types of amino acids are involved


in the process of protein synthesis.
 DNA molecule has 4 types of nitrogen bases to
identify these 20 different types of amino acids.
 The information about protein synthesis is stored in
the form of coded language (cryptogram) called
genetic code, that contains code words (codons
made up of a combinations of three nitrogen bases)
each one specifying specific amino acid.
 It directs the sequence of amino acids during
synthesis of proteins.
Characteristic of Genetic code
i. Genetic code is a triplet code:
1. Sequence of three consecutive bases constitute codon,
which specifies one particular amino acid.
ii. Genetic code has distinct polarity :
2. It is always read in 5’ 3’ direction and not in 3’ 5’ direction.
e.g. 5’ AUG 3’.
iii. Genetic code is non-overlapping :
3. Each single base is a part of only one codon.
4. Adjacent codons do not overlap.
iv. Genetic code is commaless :
1. There is no gap or punctuation mark between
successive/consecutive codons.
v. Genetic code has degeneracy :
2. Some amino acids are encoded by more than one codons.
e.g. Cysteine has two codons, while isoleucin has three
codons.
3. This is called degeneracy of the code.
vi. Genetic code is universal:
4. In all living organisms the specific codon specifies same
amino acid. e.g. codon AUG always specifies amino acid
methionine in all organisms from bacteria up to humans.
vii. Genetic code is non-ambiguous :
Specific amino acid is encoded by a particular codon.
viii. Initiation codon and termination codon:
1. AUG is always an initiation codon in every mRNA.
2. AUG codes for amino acid methionine.
3. Three codons UAA, UAG and UGA are termination codons
which terminate/ stop the process of elongation of
polypeptide chain.
 ix. Codon and anticodon :
I. Codon is a part of DNA e.g. AUG is codon.
II. It is always represented as 5’ AUG 3’. Anticodon is a part of
tRNA. It is always represented as 3’UAC 5’.
Mutations and Genetic Code:
 Mutation is a phenomenon in which sudden change in the DNA
sequence takes place. It results in the change of genotype expressed
in terms of phenotype (i.e. character).
 Mutation is raw material for evolution as it also results in variations.
 During mutation, there may be deletion or insertion of a DNA
segment.
 Deletion or insertion of base pairs of DNA causes frame – shift
mutations or deletion mutation.
 Mutation due to change in a single base pair of DNA. This is known as
point mutation. Eg. Sickle cell anaemi
 a.

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