Genetic code

Pronunciation
/JEH-NET-IK kod/
Category
Genetics

Definition

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins by living cells.

Etymology

From the Greek words 'genes' (meaning 'origin') and 'kodos' (meaning 'law' or 'rule'), referring to the genetic information encoded within DNA.

Example

The genetic code is universal, meaning the same codons code for the same amino acids in nearly all organisms.

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