A Strand That is the Instructions for Making a Protein

The genetic code of life is based on the structure of proteins. Every organism contains genetic material that codes the instructions for making proteins. These instructions are contained in a strand of genetic information known as a macromolecule called Deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly known as DNA. DNA is a long chain of molecules that consists of two base strands, adenine (A) and guanine (G).

When a strand of DNA is “read,” the sequence of A’s and G’s will be translated into a sequence of three nitrogenous bases referred to as a “codon.” This codon is the sequence of instructions needed to specify the amino acid order for the protein. These codons must be read in the correct order in order to produce a correct protein.

Each codon corresponds to the construction of an individual amino acid. When the codons are linked together in the proper order, they create a strand of instructions known as a “gene” that is responsible for directing the construction of a particular protein. DNA strands that contain the information for making a particular protein are known as “gene strands.”

The process of constructing proteins begins with the unzipping of the DNA double helix. Once the instructions have been read, the process of protein synthesis begins. The instructions coded in the gene strand are used to link amino acids together in the proper order. The specific types of amino acids and the order in which they are linked will dictate the type of protein that is created.

A strand that is the instructions for making a protein is very important for the timely and accurate creation of new proteins. If the instructions on the strand are not correct, then the protein that is made from that strand will be incorrect. DNA strands that contain the instructions for making particular proteins are the foundation of all life on the planet.