Final answer:
In genetics, every set of three bases on a gene forms a codon, which are the 'words' of the genetic code specifying amino acids. This code is universal among organisms, functioning like a language guiding protein synthesis, just as international dial codes represent different countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Genetic Code and Codons
At the site of a gene, every three bases form what is known as a genetic word, or codon. This is a fundamental concept in genetics which states that the genetic code is constituted by codons, which are groups of three nitrogen bases in nucleic acids. These triplets make up the code words of the genetic code, where each codon specifies a particular amino acid. For example, the DNA sequence ATC/GTT/GAA/CTG/TAG/GAT/AAA, when transcribed into mRNA, would be read in codons and translated into the corresponding amino acids, each influencing the protein produced.
The genetic code is essential for the process of protein synthesis, where the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is decoded by the ribosome to build proteins, each with a specific function depending on the order of amino acids. The genetic code is universal and uniform among nearly all organisms, showing how it is a fundamental language of life.
Similar to international phone codes, the genetic code uses specific three-letter combinations to represent amino acids. These are read sequentially during the protein synthesis process. For example, the codon AUG in mRNA represents the amino acid methionine, which often signals the start of protein synthesis, while GCA represents alanine, and GGC represents glycine.