全國中小學科展

A New 3-Dimensional Model for the Periodic Table of Codons

科展類別

臺灣國際科展

屆次

2007年

科別

數學科

得獎情形

第一名

學校名稱

Hwa Chong Institution

指導老師

Lim Jit Ning

作者

Pang Ka Hong、Raphael

摘要或動機

a. Purpose of research- Since the discovery of genetic codes and the dogma of 64 codons coding for 21 amino acids, scientists worldwide have been interested to know the reason(s) behind this unique number ratio (64:21). This ratio indicates certain form of inefficiency in the replication of amino acids. Such inefficiency can be explained through symmetries in the condons coding for the same amino acids. In the light of that, my project looks for patterns in the properties of amino acids and symmetries in the codons combinations. Using these analysis findings, I invented a three dimensional periodic table for the codons and amino acids that has a points to layers ratio of 64:21. b. Procedures- To get started with the project, I searched for relevant information in books and the Internet. After locating the relevant materials, I began my analysis by looking for non-random patterns in the correlation between codons and the respective amino acids they code for. At the same time, I try to look for symmetries in the codon distributions and suggest new and innovative models for a periodic table of codon combinations. I have come out with mainly a new model, with its own unique ideas and concepts behind it. Finally, I will try to match a property of the amino acids to the positions of the codons such that the table shows a gradual change in property of the amino acids, together with the symmetries. This will effectively explain the unique codons to amino acids ratio and lead to discovery of possible amino acids. c. Data- This research is primarily conducted based on the conventional 2D periodic table and no experimental data is collected. After much analysis, I have come up with the 3-sided triangular pyramid model. This model is inspired by the ratio of 64 codons coding for 21 amino acids, which can be easily approximated to 3:1. It is made up of a triangular pyramid that is three-faced, with the bottom side unutilized. As a triangular structure, each layer has dimensions in the multiples of 3. Layer 1 consists of 1 point, layer 2 with 3 points, layer 3 with 6 points and so on… until layer 7 with 18 points, having a total of 64 points. This 64 points to 21 layers ratio is consistent with the codons to amino acids ratio! d. Conclusions- The unique 64:21 ratio suggest certain form of inefficiency in the replication of amino acids. This may be explained through symmetries in condons coding for the same amino acids. A general 3:1 ratio can be approximated and this suggests a high possibility for the existence of a three-sided symmetry in codon combinations. Thus, this idea of a three-sided symmetry gives rise to my 3-sided triangular pyramid model. This new model of a 3-dimensional periodic table for codon combinations would be useful in explaining such a unique 64:21 ratio and serves to provide a basis for better understanding of the relationship between codons and amino acids. This new model may also lead to the discovery of currently unknown amino acids.

A New 3-Dimensional Model for the Periodic Table of Codons

Adobe Reader(Pdf)檔案