Codons
Codons
Codons (/ˈkoʊdɒnz/; from the Greek "kódon", meaning "cistern") are a set of three nucleotides that form the building blocks of the genetic code. They are used in the process of protein synthesis to translate the genetic information stored in DNA into proteins.
Etymology
The term "codon" was first used in 1962 and is derived from the Greek word "kódon", which means "cistern". This is a reference to the way that codons store genetic information in the DNA molecule.
Function
Codons function as the genetic code in the process of protein synthesis. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, and the sequence of codons in a DNA molecule determines the sequence of amino acids in the protein that is produced. There are 64 possible codons, 61 of which code for amino acids and 3 of which are stop codons that signal the end of protein synthesis.
Types of Codons
There are several types of codons, including:
- Start Codons: These codons signal the start of protein synthesis. The most common start codon is AUG, which codes for the amino acid methionine.
- Stop Codons: These codons signal the end of protein synthesis. There are three stop codons: UAA, UAG, and UGA.
- Sense Codons: These are the 61 codons that code for amino acids.
- Nonsense Codons: These are another term for stop codons, as they do not code for an amino acid.
Related Terms
- Genetic Code: The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins (amino acid sequences) by living cells.
- Nucleotide: The basic building block of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.
- Protein Synthesis: The process by which the genetic code is used to produce proteins.
- Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Codons
- Wikipedia's article - Codons
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