A reading frame is a way of dividing the sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) into a set of consecutive, non-overlapping triplets, or codons, which are then translated into amino acids during protein synthesis. The correct reading frame is crucial for accurate protein translation, as a shift can lead to the production of nonfunctional or harmful proteins.

Reading Frame

reading frame

sequence of nucleotides

Nucleic acids are biopolymers essential to all known forms of life, serving as the blueprint for genetic information and playing a crucial role in cellular processes. The two primary types, DNA and RNA, differ in structure and function, with DNA storing genetic information and RNA translating it into proteins.

nucleic acid

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in almost all living organisms, encoding the genetic instructions used in their development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. It is composed of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix, carrying the genetic information in sequences of four types of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a crucial molecule in cellular biology that plays a central role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It serves as the intermediary between DNA and protein synthesis, and is involved in various biological processes including gene regulation and catalysis.

non-overlapping triplets

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid or signal the termination of protein synthesis. They are fundamental to the genetic code, translating genetic information into functional proteins during the process of translation.

codons

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks for proteins, which are crucial for various biological processes in living organisms. They play a vital role in functions such as enzyme catalysis, cell signaling, and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.

amino acids

Protein synthesis is the cellular process through which genetic information is translated into functional proteins, essential for cellular structure and function. It involves two main stages: transcription, where DNA is converted into mRNA, and translation, where mRNA is decoded by ribosomes to assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains.

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