Genetic Code

• A gene is a base sequence of DNA coding for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide and functioning RNA
• Locus is the genes fixed position on a chromosome
• Triplets are 3 base sequences coding for an amino acid
• Triplet codes are degenerate, 20 amino acids with 64 combinations, so they can be coded by 1+ sequences
• Triplet codes are universal meaning they code for the same amino acids in all organisms
• Triplet codes are non-overlapping meaning they are read as discrete units, a benefit if mutation occurs
• Introns are non-coding sections of DNA, only found in eukaryotes
• Exons are coding sequences in DNA
• Codons are 3 bases on mRNA coding for an amino acid
• Start Codons are 3 bases that initiate translation
• Stop Codons are 3 bases that cause ribosomes to detach and stop translation
• Genomes are an organisms complete set of genes
• Proteome is the full range of proteins a cell can produce, these can change based on demand