The Genetic code

Cards (9)

What are the 3 features of the genetic code?
Universal
Degenerate
Non-overlapping
What is meant by Degenerate?
The same amino acid is coded for by more than one triplet of bases
What is meant by universal?
The same triplet of bases codes for the same amino acid in all organisms
What is the advantage of the genetic code being universal? 
It means genetic engineering is possible
What is meant by Non-overlapping? 
Each base in a gene is only part of one triplet of bases that codes for one amino acid. Therefore, each codon, or triplet of bases, is read as a discrete unit.
What are introns? 
Non-coding sections of DNA that do not code for amino acids and therefore the production of polypeptides.
What are Exons? 
Sections of DNA that do code for amino acids and therefore the production of amino acids.
What is the genome  
All of the different genes present within a cell
What is the proteome? 
The range of proteins a cell is able to produce.