Episode 1: Cracking the Genetic Code
Episode 1: Cracking the Genetic Code The genetic code tells us how the information in DNA is used to make proteins. But before we get there, let's break it down. DNA is a type of molecule- a nucleic acid. It is made of a whole bunch of smaller molecules called nucleotides. One nucleotide is linked to another, which is linked to another, and another, and so on. A typical DNA strand in a cell consists of millions of linked nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made of a sugar. In the case of DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose. That's where DNA gets its name: DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. Deoxyribose is a 5-carbon molecule, with each carbon bonded to one oxygen atom EXCEPT for one carbon, which we call the 2' carbon. That's what makes it "deoxy." It's missing one oxygen compared to normal ribose. The sugar is connected to at least one phosphate group (PO 4 ) on one end, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, C, or G) on the other end. Below is a typical depiction of double-stranded DNA...