genetic code

noun

: the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to be uniform for nearly all known forms of life

Examples of genetic code in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hidden in many people’s genetic codes is a mystery that has long intrigued scientists — a tiny slice of Neanderthal DNA that persists tens of thousands of years after the species vanished. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

In September 2024, an international team sequenced the shark’s very large genome—a genetic code of 6.5 billion base pairs, twice as long as the human genome. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

The fossil chromosomes contain millions, offering a far more complete picture of an animal’s genetic code. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 11 July 2024

Order of amino acid recruitment into the genetic code resolved by last universal common ancestor’s protein domains Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

genetic code

noun

: the chemical code that is the basis of genetic inheritance and consists of units of three linked chemical groups which specify particular kinds of amino acids used to make proteins or which start or stop the process of making proteins

Medical Definition

genetic code

noun

: the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and that appear to be uniform for all known forms of life

genetic coding noun