Triplet Code

Triplet code

The triplet code is a way of recording genetic information in a DNA molecule, in which each amino acid in the polypeptide chain of a protein is encoded by a sequence of three nucleotides.

Each triplet of nucleotides in a DNA molecule, called a codon, determines the inclusion of a specific amino acid in the synthesized polypeptide chain. It is thanks to the triplet code that information recorded in the DNA nucleotide sequence can be translated into the amino acid sequence of a protein.

There are 64 possible codons, formed from combinations of four nitrogenous bases (A, T, G and C). Since there are only 20 amino acids, many amino acids are coded for by multiple codons. This ensures redundancy of the genetic code and helps reduce the likelihood of errors when reading DNA.

The triplet code is universal for all living organisms on Earth, which indicates their common origin. Understanding the principles of triplet coding allows us to decipher the genomes of various organisms and provides the key to understanding the mechanisms of how genetic information works.