Binary code Vs Genetic code, What's the difference?

Binary is used to code for information in the digital space whereas DNA is used to code for information in your body. Considering that they both store information, what are the similarities and differences between the two?

The language of information

Binary uses two states to represent information: 0 meaning "off" or "False" and 1 meaning "on" and "True". This is a base 2 system as only 2 values are used. 

In comparison, the nitrogenous bases found in a single unit DNA are used to communicate information to ribosomes (the bob the builder of proteins) in your body. There are 4 of these bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine.

Bytes vs Codons

To be able to make out any information from binary and DNA, we need multiple of these states and bases to form something that can be used and understood.

The alphabet is a good example of this. The letter "t" has limited meaning by itself, but when we add more letters we produce something that communicates information such as "tea".

In binary, we use bytes which are 8 bits one after the other e.g. 0100 1011.
In DNA, we use triplets which are a sequence of 3 bases e.g. CAG.

What bytes and codons code for

Bytes can represent different things from a denary number to the value for one of the letters on your keyboard. Due to the large combination of 0s and 1s we can make using 8 binary digits, many things can be represented.

On the other hand, DNA has a specific use as it codes for the sequence of amino acids. Amino acids are what make up the proteins found in your body, and the sequence of these amino acids determine what proteins your body makes. Therefore the sequence of bases in these codons code for the production of specific proteins.

The importance of binary and DNA

Binary is the base for all computing systems and operations. It is necessary for information being stored in memory and being accessed and manipulated by the CPU (the "brain" of the computer). Essentially, binary is essential for the way current computers are designed to function.

Similarly, DNA is also essential for the function of the body. Without DNA, cells would not be able to produce new proteins and reproduce as they wouldn't know what order to assemble amino acids. This means cells would eventually die off without replacement leading to the death of that organism.

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