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From: jtorres@abello.seci.uchile.cl (Juan C. Torres (F. Ciencias Laboratorio Bioquimica))
Subject: Why the Genetic Code?
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Date: Tue, 4 Apr 1995 14:34:37 GMT
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First, a correction. The protein is not the phenotype. A cell or an individual
organism is, and it controls the reproduction of the genome. Molec bio is not
always right, particularly as to biological concepts. As to the gen code, the
answer to your question depends on how you beleive the system evolved. If
proteins evolved first, or simultaneously with nucleic acids, or if RNA evolved
first, as most seem to beleive, then different evolutionary histories of
association are possible. Unfortunately, or fortunately, that is not settled.
Small polypeptides are made without the intervention of the genetic code, but
the process is limited as to the size, and thusa complexity that you can
achieve. The genetic code makes possible the great variety and complexity of
modern proteins. Anyway, for me it is hard to imagine a reason for the
genetic code other than the fact it was a very efficient way for nucleic acids
to control proteins. I hope this is of any help.
Z
