What are the differences between coding and noncoding DNA?
Posted July 20, 2022
Answer
Basis of differentiation | Coding DNA | Noncoding DNA |
Definition | Refers to DNA sequence that contains protein-encoding genes | Refers to DNA sequence that does not encode for proteins |
Percentage of total genome in organisms | Make up around 1% - 2% of the total genome in most organisms | Make up around 98% -99% of the genome in most organisms |
Composition | Composed of exons (coding sequences) and introns (DNA regions with no known function) | Composed of regulatory elements, repeating sequences, pseudogenes, introns, and telomeres |
Synthesis | Undergoes transcription to synthesize mRNAs | Undergoes transcription to synthesize regulatory RNAs including rRNAs and tRNAs |
Function | Encodes for proteins | Provides sites for the binding of transcription factors to regulate gene expression |
Importance | Proteins encoded have functional, regulatory, and structural importance in the cell | Essential for regulating gene activity |
Additional resources
Asymmetry of coding versus noncoding strand in coding sequences of different genomes