Genetic Code New 1

GENETIC CODE
Assist. prof. Dr. Mujahid Kh. Ali

The Genetic Code
Genetic code: The sequence of nucleotides that is the
basis of heredity in the DNA or RNA molecule of
chromosome and that specifies the amino acid sequence
in the synthesis of protein. It is the biochemical basis of
heredity and nearly universal in all organisms.

The genetic code is triplet code (i.e. composed of 3
bases), these triplets are called codons. Genetic code
consists of 64 triplets of nucleotides. These codons
encode for the 20 amino acids used in the synthesis
of proteins. Each triplet codon specifies only one
amino acid, but an individual amino acid may be
specified by more than one codon.

Codons
Cells decode mRNAs by reading their nucleotides in groups
of three, called codons.
Here are some features of codons:
 • Most codons specify an amino acid
 • Three "stop" codons mark the end of a protein
 • One "start" codon, AUG, marks the beginning of a protein
and also encodes the amino acid methionine

A start codon, AUG, sets the reading frame, and
signals the start of translation of the genetic code,
the code is read in a 5’ to 3’ direction. Translation
continues in a non-overlapping fashion until a stop
codon (UAA, UAG, UGA) is encountered in frame.
The nucleotides between the start and stop
codons encode for the subsequent protein
produced.
The genetic code can be expressed as either RNA codons or
DNA codons. RNA codons occur in messenger RNA (mRNA)
and are the codons that are actually “read” during the
synthesis of polypeptides in the proses of “translation”. But
each mRNA molecule acquires its sequence of nucleotides by
transcription from the corresponding gene in DNA.

Start codon:
is the first codon of a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript
translated by a ribosome. The start codon always codes for
methionine in eukaryotes and a modified Met (fMet) in
prokaryotes. The most common start codon is AUG.
Stop codons are sequences of DNA and RNA that are needed
to stop translation or the making of proteins by stringing
amino acids together.
There are three RNA stop codons: UAG, UAA, and UGA
Differences Between Anticodon and Codon
1. Definition
Anticodon: Anticodons are trinucleotide units in the tRNAs,
complementary to the codons in mRNAs. They allow the tRNAs to
supply the correct amino acids during the protein production.
Codon: Codons are trinucleotide units in the DNA or mRNAs,
coding for a specific amino acid in the protein synthesis.

2. Function
Anticodon: The anticodons are the link between the nucleotide
sequence of the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of the
protein.
Codon: The codons transfer the genetic information from the
nucleus where the DNA is located to the ribosomes where the
protein synthesis is performed.

3. Location
Anticodon: The anticodon is located in the Anticodon arm of the molecule of
tRNA.
Codon: The codons are located in the molecule of DNA and mRNA.
4. Complementarity
Anticodon: The anticodon is complementary to the respective codon.
Codon: The codon in mRNA is complementary to a nucleotide triplet from a
certain gene in the DNA
5. Numbers.
Anticodon: One tRNA contains one anticodon.
Codon: One mRNA contains a number of codons
Properties of genetic codes
Several properties of the genetic code become apparent as follows;
1- The genetic code is composed of nucleotide triplets. In other word, three
nucleotides in mRNA (a codon) specify one amino acid in a protein.
2- The code is non- overlapping. This means that successive triplets are read in
order (i.e. one after another). Each nucleotide is part of only one triplet codon.
3- The genetic code is unambiguous. Each codon specifies a particular amino
acid, and only one amino acid. In other word, the codon AGG codes for the
amino acid threonine, and only threonine.

Properties of genetic codes
4- The genetic code is degenerate. In contrast. Each amino
acid can be specified by more than one codon.
5- The code is nearly universal. Almost all organisms in
nature (from bacteria to human) use exactly the same
genetic code. The rare exceptions include some changes in
the code in mitochondria, and in few protozoan species.

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GENETIC CODE

Assist. prof. Dr. Mujahid Kh. Ali

basis of heredity in the DNA or RNA molecule of

chromosome and that specifies the amino acid sequence

in the synthesis of protein. It is the biochemical basis of

heredity and nearly universal in all organisms.

bases), these triplets are called codons. Genetic code

consists of 64 triplets of nucleotides. These codons

encode for the 20 amino acids used in the synthesis

of proteins. Each triplet codon specifies only one

amino acid, but an individual amino acid may be

specified by more than one codon.

of three, called codons.

Here are some features of codons:

 • Most codons specify an amino acid

 • Three "stop" codons mark the end of a protein

 • One "start" codon, AUG, marks the beginning of a protein

and also encodes the amino acid methionine

DNA codons. RNA codons occur in messenger RNA (mRNA)

synthesis of polypeptides in the proses of “translation”. But

each mRNA molecule acquires its sequence of nucleotides by

transcription from the corresponding gene in DNA.

Anticodon: Anticodons are trinucleotide units in the tRNAs,

complementary to the codons in mRNAs. They allow the tRNAs to

supply the correct amino acids during the protein production.

Codon: Codons are trinucleotide units in the DNA or mRNAs,

coding for a specific amino acid in the protein synthesis.

Anticodon: The anticodons are the link between the nucleotide

sequence of the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of the

Codon: The codons transfer the genetic information from the

nucleus where the DNA is located to the ribosomes where the

protein synthesis is performed.

Several properties of the genetic code become apparent as follows;

1- The genetic code is composed of nucleotide triplets. In other word, three

nucleotides in mRNA (a codon) specify one amino acid in a protein.

3- The genetic code is unambiguous. Each codon specifies a particular amino

amino acid threonine, and only threonine.

4- The genetic code is degenerate. In contrast. Each amino

acid can be specified by more than one codon.

5- The code is nearly universal. Almost all organisms in

nature (from bacteria to human) use exactly the same

genetic code. The rare exceptions include some changes in

the code in mitochondria, and in few protozoan species.

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