AGCTU, and all-important proteins

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In summary, all life on Earth is composed of proteins, though some lifeforms do not contain any. Proteins are not a necessary pre-condition for something to be considered alive, though all known life forms on Earth utilize them.
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Vance
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<1> Can anyone tell me where these alphabets come from ?
I mean who first used them to talk about genes' base ?
<2> All life on Earth is proteins but is there any life without proteins ?
Would you, biologists please tell me how you study enzymes in your labs ?
I am not majoring in biology, I don't know exactly about how you do that ?
Can you help me ?

Thank you,
 
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  • #2
A, C, T, and G are abbreviations for the 4 bases of the nucleotides of DNA: Adenine, Cytosine, Thymine, and Guanine.

A, C, U, and G are abbreviations for the 4 bases of the nucleotides of RNA: Adenine, Cytosine, Uracil, and Guanine.

Just to pre-empt any possible misunderstandig :wink: : These are NOT genes; genes are long DNA sequences of such nucleotides that code for either a protein or a piece of RNA.

As to your second question, there are no known life forms that do not contain any protein. Protein both as a structural element and as enzymes is essential to organic life on Earth as we know it.
However, the definition of life - i.e. anything that displays certain characteristics like order, metabolism, growth / development, response to the environment, regulation of the internal environment, reproduction, and evolutionary adaptation - is open to very different kinds of life as well. For example, if we ever build robots that can get their energy from seeking out an consuming some kind of "food" and assemble copies of themselves from raw materials etc., that should certainly qualify as life. Such robots will not be built anytime soon, but this example should illustrate what I mean. Proteins are not a theoretical pre-condition for somethig to pass for a life form, yet all life forms we know on Earth utilize proteins. Indeed, even life-like chemical structures that don't actually constitute life forms - viruses - require proteins to function.
 
  • #3
Thanks Adrian alot,
 

What is AGCTU and why is it important?

AGCTU refers to the five nucleotide bases that make up DNA - Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil. These bases are the building blocks of DNA and are essential for the production of proteins, which are crucial for the functioning of living organisms.

How do AGCTU bases code for proteins?

AGCTU bases are arranged in a specific sequence along the DNA molecule. This sequence, also known as the genetic code, determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Each three-base sequence, called a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid, which is then added to the growing protein chain.

What role do proteins play in living organisms?

Proteins have a variety of functions in living organisms, including structural support, transportation of molecules, and enzymatic reactions. They are also essential for cell signaling and communication, as well as for the regulation of gene expression.

How do mutations in AGCTU bases affect protein production?

Mutations, or changes, in the sequence of AGCTU bases can result in changes to the amino acid sequence of a protein. This can alter the structure and function of the protein, potentially leading to diseases or disorders. However, some mutations can also have no effect or even be beneficial.

What are the different types of proteins and how are they classified?

Proteins can be classified into different categories based on their structure and function. Some common types include enzymes, hormones, structural proteins, and transport proteins. They can also be classified based on their shape, such as globular or fibrous proteins, or by the number of amino acid chains, such as monomeric or multimeric proteins.

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