codon
noun
co·don
| \ ˈkō-ˌdän
\
\
Definition of codon
: a specific sequence of three consecutive nucleotides that is part of the genetic code and that specifies a particular amino acid in a protein or starts or stops protein synthesis
— called also triplet
Examples of codon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers studying the genetic code have gradually determined that its codon-amino acid assignments are decidedly not random. — Quanta Magazine, "Is a Bigger Genetic Code Better? Get Ready to Find Out," 2 Jan. 2018 In modern strains, it has been reduced to an imperfect, nonfunctional copy called a pseudogene, thanks to a stop codon in the middle of its sequence. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Ancient DNA reveals the secrets of a devastating European disease," 26 Sep. 2018 Repurposing just one codon across all 20,000 human genes will require hundreds of thousands of DNA changes. — Elie Dolgin, Scientific American, "Scientists Downsize Bold Plan to Make Human Genome from Scratch," 1 May 2018 Because viruses’ genes include the redundant codons. — Sharon Begley, STAT, "Genome ‘writers’ set their first goal: recoding human cells to resist viruses," 1 May 2018 And life can get by with only one codon for each amino acid. — Sharon Begley, STAT, "Genome ‘writers’ set their first goal: recoding human cells to resist viruses," 1 May 2018 Church’s team used synthesis in follow-up work to recode seven codons in the E. coli genome. — Elie Dolgin, Scientific American, "Scientists Downsize Bold Plan to Make Human Genome from Scratch," 1 May 2018 Hysolli explains that, rather than synthesize every nucleotide in my Y chromosome, Church’s team will focus on discrete genetic units, called codons, that determine what kind of amino acids (and, eventually, proteins) are produced by a cell. — David Ewing Duncan, WIRED, "The Next Best Version of Me: How to Live Forever," 27 Mar. 2018 The next step was to place both the phosphotyrosine and the analog at specific sites in recombinant proteins, by swapping out a codon. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Scripps, Salk scientists independently make key biological advance," 12 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'codon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for codon
codon
noun
co·don
| \ ˈkō-ˌdän
\
\
Medical Definition of codon
: a specific sequence of three consecutive nucleotides that is part of the genetic code and that specifies a particular amino acid in a protein or starts or stops protein synthesis
— called also triplet