Genetic code

Genetic code

The genetic code is a system for encoding hereditary information in nucleic acid molecules. Based on encoded information, genes control the synthesis of proteins, and primarily enzymes, since the latter control all metabolic and energy processes. The specificity of the structure and function of individual proteins is determined by what amino acids they consist of and in what sequence these amino acids are located in the molecule.

Establishing the relationship between the sequence of nucleotides in DNA and the sequence of amino acids in proteins made it possible to begin deciphering the genetic code. It was found that each amino acid is encoded by a triplet of nucleotides (codon). There are 64 codons in total, which exceeds the number of amino acids.

Experiments have proven that the genetic code is universal, continuous and non-overlapping. An exact correspondence between codons and amino acids was established. Three codons are stop codons, three are initiation codons. Translation of genetic information into protein structure occurs in the processes of transcription and translation with the participation of messenger RNA molecules and transport RNA.