genetic code

noun

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Definition of genetic code

: 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

See genetic code defined for kids

Recent Examples of genetic code from the Web

Even if all existing smallpox viruses were destroyed, its genetic code is known and the virus could be made from scratch, using genetic parts ordered over the internet.

— helen branswell, STAT, "Bill Gates got President Trump fired up about a universal flu vaccine — and also (maybe) got a job offer," 30 Apr. 2018
This resulted in about 350 billion DNA base pairs – chemical units of DNA that make up the genetic code.

— rachael bay, CBS News, "Can this bird adapt to a warmer climate? Read the genes to find out," 29 May 2018
This resulted in about 350 billion DNA base pairs—chemical units of DNA that make up the genetic code.

— rachael bay, Scientific American, "Can Yellow Warblers Adapt to a Warmer Climate?," 29 May 2018
Cracking their genetic codes may be the key to transforming pot from a budding business to a high-flying industry and a cannabis analytics lab is trying to unlock the true potential of weed.

— john carreyrou, WIRED, "A New Look Inside Theranos’ Dysfunctional Corporate Culture," 21 May 2018
With this powerful tool for understanding our own genetic code, DNA could provide clues to the identity of the Phoenicians, and could allow scientists to peer deeper into the lives of the powerful Medici family, whose remains were exhumed in 2004.

— National Geographic, "How We've Tackled the Evolving Science of DNA," 25 Apr. 2018
Fully mapping the genetic code is too pricey now for a million people, but that more comprehensive approach eventually will be used with some participants, too.

— Washington Post, "US wants 1 million to share DNA, health habits for science," 1 May 2018
The enzyme is fed a loop of DNA to duplicate, along with free-floating bases—the A’s, C’s, G’s and T’s that make up the genetic code—to use as raw material.

— kyle peterson, WSJ, "Cracking the Code of Life—at Light Speed," 27 Apr. 2018
Incubated Worlds, a research and breeding center in the capital Addis Ababa, will also house a permanent art installation showcasing the work of Koen Vanmechelen, including photographs, videos, and books of chickens' genetic codes.

— thin lei win, The Christian Science Monitor, "Belgian artist helps Ethiopia engineer the perfect chicken," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic code.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of genetic code

1958

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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GENETIC CODE Defined for Kids

genetic code

noun

Definition of genetic code for Students

: the arrangement of chemical groups within the genes which specify particular kinds of amino acids used to make proteins

Medical Dictionary

genetic code

noun

medical Definition of genetic code

: 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

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