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Biology / Unit 6   Bio 1249 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Genetic Code's Triplet Codons

Captions available

The idea

The genetic code reads mRNA in three-nucleotide units called codons, and each of the 64 codons specifies one amino acid or a stop signal.

In practice

The codon sequence AUG-GGC-UAA specifies methionine, then glycine, then a stop signal, read three bases at a time.

Where people slip

A codon is three nucleotides — shifting the reading frame by even one base changes every codon that follows it.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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