codon

/ˈkoʊdɒn/

Definitions

1. noun

A sequence of three nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

“The genetic code consists of sequences of codons that determine the sequence of amino acids in a protein.”

2. verb

To code, especially a sequence of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule.

“The molecular biologist codoned the gene to determine its protein sequence.”

Synonyms

  • genetic code
  • nucleotide sequence

Antonyms

  • deletion
  • mutation