Stop codons
Stop Codons
Stop codons (pronunciation: /stɒp 'koʊdɒnz/) are sequences of DNA or RNA that signal the end of protein synthesis. They are part of the genetic code, which is used by living organisms to translate genetic information into proteins.
Etymology
The term "stop codon" is derived from the English words "stop", which means to cease or end, and "codon", which is a sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule.
Function
Stop codons function as the termination signal during protein synthesis. When the ribosome, the molecular machine that carries out protein synthesis, encounters a stop codon, it knows that it has reached the end of the coding sequence and it should stop adding amino acids to the growing protein chain.
There are three stop codons in the standard genetic code: UAA, UAG, and UGA. These are often referred to as the "amber", "ochre", and "opal" or "umber" stop codons, respectively.
Related Terms
- Start codon: The codon that signals the start of translation and the first amino acid in a protein.
- Reading frame: A way of dividing the sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) molecule into a set of consecutive, non-overlapping triplets.
- Translation (biology): The process by which a protein is synthesized from the genetic information carried by an mRNA molecule.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stop codons
- Wikipedia's article - Stop codons
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