What is the genetic code and how is it translated to protein?
The translation of the genetic code is primarily accomplished by tRNAs with the help of the ribosomes. The ribosomes essentially hold the mRNA in place so that specific aminoacyl-tRNAs can dock. The three-nucleotide tRNA anti-codon is complementary to the mRNA codon and aligns with the mRNA in an antiparellel fashion. Be able to read the genetic code chart. Memorize the codon for methionine which is often the starting amino acid in bacterial genes (AUG) which is often present as the formylated form: f-Met. Try to remember the stop or nonsense codons UAG, UGA, UAA (start with U and end with all combinations of G and A except UGG). 2. Distinguish between nonsense, missense, silent, and frame-shift mutations. A: When an amino acid codon is converted to a stop codon, it is a nonsense mutation (Ex: UAC to UAG). When an amino acid codon is converted to a different amino acid codon, it is a missense mutation (GAU, Asp to GUU, Val). And when a change in DNA sequence has no effect on protein se
