The language of DNA is a code comprised of four letters that form codons, which are essentially three-letter words.
Understanding the Genetic Code
DNA's language is not like human languages with alphabets and grammar. Instead, it's a biochemical code that instructs cells on how to build proteins. This code is based on four nucleotide bases:
- Adenine (A)
- Guanine (G)
- Cytosine (C)
- Thymine (T)
These bases are the "letters" of the DNA language.
Codons: The Words of DNA
According to the provided reference, the letters of DNA combine to form three-letter units called codons. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid, which are the building blocks of proteins.
For example:
- The codon AUG typically signals the start of protein synthesis and codes for the amino acid methionine.
- Other codons specify different amino acids.
- Some codons signal the end of protein synthesis (stop codons).
Interpreting the Code
The breakthrough in understanding the DNA language was achieved by Marshall Nirenberg and his colleagues at the National Institutes of Health. They deciphered which codons corresponded to which amino acids, revealing the fundamental way in which DNA directs protein synthesis.
DNA Language Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Alphabet | Four nucleotide bases: A, G, C, and T |
| Words | Codons: sequences of three bases (e.g., AUG, GCA, UAG) |
| Meaning | Each codon specifies an amino acid or a start/stop signal for protein synthesis |
| Interpretation | Deciphered by Marshall Nirenberg and his colleagues |
