Genes and the genetic code

Starter for 10...

• Draw and label a section of DNA
• Explain where the DNA is ‘found’ – use terms such
as nucleus, gene, chromosome
• Describe RNA (if you can!)
Criteria Mark Scheme Yes No
1 DNA made of bases, phosphate, deoxyribose sugar. Base
pairing (A-T, C-G). Bond between mononucleotides is
phosphodiester bond
2 Genes are sections of DNA, that in turn make up
chromosomes
3 Chromosomes are found in the nucleus (46 in somatic
human cells)
4 DNA sequence determines the order of amino acids (via
mRNA)
5 RNA single, short molecule. Ribose sugar. Bases AUCG.
Carries genetic code from DNA to ribosomes
NB no 5. RNA isn’t covered in trilogy at GCSE
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Lesson
title / Learning Outcomes
focus:
Genes and • Describe the nature of a gene
29/01/2024
genetic code • Explain how genes code for polypeptides
 What is a gene?
• Section of DNA that contains code for making
polypeptides and functional RNA
• Polypeptides make up proteins so genes determine
the proteins of an organism.
• Enzymes are proteins (responsible for development
of an organism)
• Genes (+ environmental factors) determine the
nature and development of all organisms
How DNA bases code for amino acids
How many bases code for one amino acid?
(There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids)
Explain your answer.
 The triplet code
Given that there are four bases in DNA, and these code for 20 amino acids,
what is the basis for the genetic code?

 If one base = one amino acid, possible amino acids

=4

 If two bases = one amino acid, possible amino

acids = 16 (42 or 4×4)

 If three bases = one amino acid, possible amino

acids = 64 (43 or 4×4×4)

The existence of a three-base (triplet) code was confirmed by

experiments by Francis Crick and his colleagues in 1961. The
 triplet code is degenerate, which means that most amino acids
are coded for by more than one triplet.

Features of
genetic
code
• Only 2 amino acids are coded for by
single triplets
• Other aa’s have between 26
triplets each
• Code is degenerate – most aa’s are
coded for by more than one triplet
• Triplet is read in one direction along
DNA strand
• The start code is always methionine. If it’s not part of the final polypeptide, it
is removed
• Three triplets are STOP codes – marks end of polypeptide chain
• Code is non-overlapping. Each base in a sequence is read only once
• Code is universal. Each triplet codes
for same aa in all organisms RNA codon table

‘Junk’ non-coding DNA

• Much of DNA in eukaryotes doesn’t code for
polypeptides.
• Between genes there are non-coding sequences
made up of multiple repeats of base sequences.
• Coding sequences within genes are called EXONS
• Non-coding sequences
within genes are
called INTRONS
Your turn..
• Summary qu’s P 203
• Interpreting the
genetic code P204
• Using the table of
P204, make up your
own questions for your classmates!
RNA codon table