Talk:Genetic code/Archive 1

message: After a quick perusal, I'd say this explanation is pretty good. What irritates me in media explanations of the genetic code is that they imply that the code is read exactly as such! (i.e. ATTCGG etc.) If I were 100% layperson hearing that I would be confused. They don't make clear that it is a sequence of amino acids which we then convert into letters. I've even heard reporters say something like "when they discovered the sequence of letters that make up the human genome"!! (as if there are small A's G's and T's visible somewhere!
--62.254.0.38 17:33, 2 Apr 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  the real picture 

message: The codons attempt to ensure that minor errors in the genetic code either only causes a silent mutation or an error that would not affect the amino acid's hydrophilic/hydrophobic property
How can codons attempt to do anything, are they sentient? I will change this to
A practical consequence of redundancy is that minor...etc
as it seems more accurate to me.
The code is redundant because it has to be, two bases are two few to code for all amino acids (4²=16), so it has to be three at a minimum (4³=64). One consequence of this is the occurence of silent mutations. --Alun 06:34, 27 May 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Reasons for redundancy

message: Most people are more familiar with DNA than RNA. If possible, a picture of DNA would be preferable. Also, the first sentence says that codons are in DNA. Shouldn't it say nucleic acids, or DNA and RNA? Twilight Realm 00:06, 4 January 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: That redirect resulted from the fact that it's simply impossible to discuss either the genetic code or codons without discussing the other. That is, the concepts are so intertwined that they might as well occupy the same article. Graft 01:05, 4 January 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  The picture is good, but... 

message: In Table 1 and Table 2 the codones for start are inconsistant. Table 2 lists only AUG & GUG as start codons, but Table 1 lists AUG, UUG, & CUG as start codons for prokaryotes, and GUG & AUU as start codons for Prokaryotes only. Which is is? --Matthew 18:31, 24 February 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Actually I think we should not label anything but AUG as a start. Only a handful of non-AUG starts exist; this certainly isn't reflected by the current tables, which say 'AUG, GUG' are both starts. WTF? Justification, anyone? Otherwise I'm cleaning it up and including a footnote about alternative starts. Graft 18:38, 24 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Start Codon Inconsistancies 

message: I don't know enough about them at the moment to write it up, but a section on criticisms from biologists and others (notable cryptologists) against the "code" metaphor is probably appropriate here. There is a great discussion of this in Lily Kay's book, Who Wrote the Book of Life: A History of the Genetic Code. --Fastfission 15:06, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: "Code" metaphor criticisms

message: I know this is an A-Class article but I believe that we might have been a little lenient on this one. ;-) I've done a lot of editing (close to 100 edits), but still I'm personally not completely happy with the "incomplete" product. Anyways, I've got a lot of editing to do over the next couple of days provided I get time from the job (that pays the bills). I apologize for not explaining every single edit but I have done so more out of appreciation of my fellow editors who I'm sure will understand most of the changes I've made. However, if you do have the time to go through the history, I'd be very happy to address any concerns/comments/anger at any edit or edits I might have made during the course of the last few hours. Thanks and regards. --Antorjal 04:43, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I had probably bludgeoned the intro a bit with excessive jargonese, thanks Graft for the changes. I've added some comments on viruses and the universal nature. Looks pretty good IMO. I agree with ClockworkSoul it's definitely GA status and needs references now. I wish there was Endnote for wikipedia... lol. I think with some work, this one might even make FA status. I'll hack at it for a bit but would love all the help I can get. Thanks again. --Antorjal 17:39, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Extensive edit-session