universal genetic code
What universal genetic code means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of universal genetic code
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Reference: AQA
The same codons specify the same amino acids across organisms, which is why bacteria are used in recombinant DNA technology to produce human proteins.
The same triplets code for the same amino acids in almost all organisms, so a human gene inserted into a bacterium still yields a human protein.
The same DNA triplet and mRNA codon code for the same amino acid in almost every organism.
Topics that use universal genetic code
- DNA and protein synthesis (AQA A-Level)
- Recombinant DNA technology (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Structure of DNA and RNA (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- complementary base pairing
- nuclear pore
- alternative splicing
- base sequence
- cDNA and reverse transcriptase
- clover-leaf shape
- codons and anticodons
- condensation reaction
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