The language of DNA is a code comprised of four "letters" representing nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), and Thymine (T).
These four bases form the alphabet of the genetic code. However, DNA doesn't communicate directly with the machinery that builds proteins. Instead, it's transcribed into RNA, using a slightly different alphabet. In RNA, Thymine (T) is replaced by Uracil (U).
Here's a breakdown of how this "language" works:
- Codons: The DNA code is read in triplets called codons. Each codon consists of three consecutive nucleotide bases (e.g., AUG, GGC, UCA).
- Amino Acids: Each codon specifies a particular amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
- Protein Synthesis: The sequence of codons in a gene determines the sequence of amino acids in the protein that gene encodes. This process is called translation.
Think of it like this:
- DNA Alphabet: A, G, C, T
- Words (Codons): Three-letter combinations of the DNA alphabet (e.g., AUG, GGC)
- Sentences (Genes): Strings of codons that specify a protein.
Therefore, the language of DNA is a triplet code using four nucleotide bases to ultimately dictate the sequence of amino acids that make up proteins.
