SENSE CODON Meaning and
Definition
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A sense codon, also known as a coding codon or a synonymous codon, is a specific sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that codes for a particular amino acid, thereby playing a crucial role in protein synthesis. In the realms of genetics and molecular biology, the genetic code, in the form of codons, translates the DNA or RNA sequence into a chain of amino acids that is eventually synthesized into a protein.
There are 64 possible codons in total, of which 61 are sense codons. These sense codons specify the incorporation of one of the 20 standard amino acids. For instance, the codon "AUG" is referred to as the start codon, encoding the amino acid methionine and designating the initiation point for protein synthesis. Other sense codons, such as "UUU," "GCA," or "AGG," code for specific amino acids like phenylalanine, alanine, or arginine, respectively.
Sense codons are vital components of the genetic language, as they determine the primary structure and consequently the function of proteins. Alterations in the sense codons can lead to mutations, affecting protein synthesis and potentially resulting in genetic disorders. Scientists have conducted extensive research to decipher and understand the full spectrum of sense codons to further explore the fundamental processes within molecular biology.
Common Misspellings for SENSE CODON
- aense codon
- zense codon
- xense codon
- dense codon
- eense codon
- wense codon
- swnse codon
- ssnse codon
- sdnse codon
- srnse codon
- s4nse codon
- s3nse codon
- sebse codon
- semse codon
- sejse codon
- sehse codon
- senae codon
- senze codon
- senxe codon
- sende codon
Etymology of SENSE CODON
The term "Sense Codon" is derived from two different sources: "sense" and "codon".
1. Sense: In molecular biology, the term "sense" refers to the functional strand of a DNA molecule that contains the information to encode proteins. This strand is the one that is transcribed into RNA and then translated into a chain of amino acids to form proteins. The term "sense" is used to differentiate this strand from the non-coding or non-functional strand known as the "antisense" strand.
2. Codon: A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that codes for a specific amino acid, a start signal (to initiate protein synthesis), or a stop signal (to terminate protein synthesis). These codons act as the basic building blocks of the genetic code and carry the information necessary for the production of proteins.
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