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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
During a briefing for reporters Wednesday, Vivien Dugan, director of the influenza division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said dairy worker vaccination might begin if any worrisome new worrisome changes are detected about the virus, such as changes in its genetic code.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 3 May 2024
Now, scientists have traced our tail loss to a short sequence of genetic code that is abundant in our genome but had been dismissed for decades as junk DNA, a sequence that seemingly serves no biological purpose.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Studying the iterations of these genes in 21 separate species, including 6 apes and 15 monkeys, the team found one mutation — an insertion of genetic code in the TBXT gene — present in the former, including humans, and not present in latter.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024
Gene Editing Research underway into gene editing – intentionally altering the genetic code of a living organism – may also have the potential to change the microbes that produce methane in livestock’s gut microbiomes.
—Paul Winters, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2024
This new therapy was developed by Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals to treat sickle cell disease, an ailment caused by a single-letter mutation in the genetic code that has been long understood but was neglected by the research community for decades.
—Jennifer Doudna, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2024
Most of us are the product of a single genetic code.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024
The switch of an A to a T in the genetic code for hemoglobin results in a hemoglobin protein with a valine instead of a glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
That fact hints at differences in individual biology, determined by each person’s unique genetic code.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genetic code.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1958, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near genetic code
Cite this Entry
“Genetic code.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetic%20code. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on genetic code
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genetic code
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