DNA 101

DNA language:

  • 4 “letters” in the alphabet

    • A – Adenine T – Thymine
      C – Cytosine G – Guanine

  • 20 3-letter “words” (codons)

    • Each codon codes for one amino acid

  • Unlimited number of “chapters” (proteins)

  • Unlimited number of “novels” (organism)

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Slide 56 of 109


DNA has been described as a language, since it encodes massive amounts of information. The language consists of only four letters (called "base pairs" or "bases" - adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine) that are bound to a phosphorylated sugar - deoxyribose. The bases (or letters) are organized into 64 "words" or codons that specify a particular amino acid. However, the DNA code is redundant in that some similar codons code for the same amino acids. In addition, some codons code for no amino acids at all, but indicate where the code begins or ends. Ultimately, the 64 codons code for 20 amino acids. The codons are organized into "chapters" or genes that code for proteins. Since the genes are of different lengths, there are a virtually unlimited number of possible proteins that can be produced. The genes ultimately make up all the information that is required to complete the "novel," which is the organism for which it codes. The human genome (entire genetic code) consists of 3 billion bases (or letters) and approximately 30,000 genes.


Last Modified June 21, 2006