genetic code

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

San Diego-based Cibus tweaked one letter in canola’s genetic code to create an herbicide-resistant version; farmers are growing it in North Dakota and Montana.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "Crispr’d Food, Coming Soon to a Supermarket Near You," 30 Mar. 2018
The genetic code is the system that translates DNA sequences into the amino acids of proteins; changes in this code would alter every protein in a person's body, killing them.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Scott Kelly’s medical monitoring has spawned some horrific press coverage," 15 Mar. 2018
Researchers hope that the complex genetic code contained inside the towering timbers could also hold the key to their preservation.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Improving poll numbers give Republicans hope that the midterms might not be so bad," 8 Feb. 2018
After studying the genetic codes of algae that did well in warm waters, his team began injecting those types of algae into the tiny and tentacle-encircled mouths of polyps.

— The Economist, "Mass die-offs are driving efforts to create hardier corals," 15 Mar. 2018
In lysogenic infections, phages invade bacterial cells but then sneak their genetic code into that of the bacterium’s, sometimes disrupting genes.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Never-before-seen viruses that can kill bacteria stream from women’s bladders," 1 Feb. 2018
Khorana’s work uncovered how a DNA’s genetic code determines protein synthesis — which dictates how a cell functions.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "Google Celebrates Nobel-Prize Winning Biochemist Har Gobind Khorana," 9 Jan. 2018
Humans share much of their genetic code with other animals, from fruit flies and worms to dogs and apes.

— NBC News, "Why don't elephants get cancer? New gene study explains," 7 Mar. 2018
Next, T cells — the immune system’s foot soldiers — are harvested from the patient’s blood and infected with the virus, which rewrites their genetic code to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

— kenneth miller, Discover Magazine, "Essay: ‘Living Drug’ Gets Green Light," 29 Dec. 2017

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

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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