Genetic code

Genetic code
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. The discovery of the genetic code clearly ranks as one of the premiere events in what has been called the Golden Age of Biology and Medicine.

* * *

genetic code n the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and that appear to be uniform for all known forms of life
genetic coding n

* * *

the code in which genetic information is carried by DNA and messenger RNA. This information determines the sequence of amino acids in every protein and thereby controls the nature of all proteins made by the cell. The genetic code is expressed by the sequence of nucleotide bases in the nucleic acid molecule, a unit of three consecutive bases (a codon) coding for each amino acid. The code is translated into protein at the ribosomes (see transcription, translation). Any changes in the genetic code result in the insertion of incorrect amino acids in a protein chain, giving a mutation.

* * *

the arrangement of consecutive nucleotide triplets (codons) in a nucleic acid that specifies the sequence of amino acids for synthesis of a protein (see accompanying table). See also transcription and translation.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • genetic code — ► NOUN ▪ the means by which DNA and RNA molecules carry genetic information …   English terms dictionary

  • genetic code — n. the biochemical code in DNA or RNA that determines the characteristics of an organism, made up of a long chain or sequence of nucleotides, codons, and genes …   English World dictionary

  • genetic code — genetic code. См. генетический код. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Genetic code — A series of codons in part of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. Each codon consists of three nucleotides, usually representing a single amino acid. The nucleotides are abbreviated with the letters A, U, G and C. This is mRNA, which uses U (uracil) …   Wikipedia

  • genetic code — the biochemical instructions that translate the genetic information present as a linear sequence of nucleotide triplets in messenger RNA into the correct linear sequence of amino acids for the synthesis of a particular peptide chain or protein.… …   Universalium

  • genetic code — the code in which genetic information is carried by DNA and messenger RNA. This information determines the sequence of amino acids in every protein and thereby controls the nature of all proteins made by the cell. The genetic code is expressed by …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • genetic code — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms genetic code : singular genetic code plural genetic codes biology the arrangement of genes that makes an individual develop in a particular way …   English dictionary

  • genetic code — noun the ordering of nucleotides in DNA molecules that carries the genetic information in living cells • Hypernyms: ↑ordering, ↑order, ↑ordination • Hyponyms: ↑triplet code * * * geˌnetic ˈcode [genetic code] …   Useful english dictionary

  • genetic code — genetinis kodas statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Bendra visiems gyviesiems organizmams paveldimos informacijos užšifravimo nukleorūgščių molekulėse ir realizacijos sistema. atitikmenys: angl. genetic code vok. genetischer… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • genetic code — genetinis kodas statusas T sritis augalininkystė apibrėžtis Nukleotidų DNR molekulėje seka, nulemianti aminorūgščių sekas baltymo molekulėje. atitikmenys: angl. genetic code rus. генетический код …   Žemės ūkio augalų selekcijos ir sėklininkystės terminų žodynas

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”