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SpeakBase Times·Science·
Tiny Pond Microbe Found at Oxford Rewrites a Universal Rule of the Genetic Code
Researchers at Oxford have stumbled upon a single-celled organism in a campus pond whose DNA breaks one of biology's deepest rules. In Oligohymenophorea sp. PL0344, the codons TAA and TAG no longer act as stop signals — they encode amino acids — while only TGA still ends a protein, suggesting genetic translation is far more flexible than textbooks claim.
By SpeakBase Times Editorial Team
Level 1 — Absolute Beginner
Ready
Reading PassageTap highlighted words for definitions
DNA is the code inside every cell. It tells the cell how to make many tiny machines called proteins. Most living things use the same code.
But scientists found a tiny living thing in a pond at Oxford. It does not follow all of the same rules.
Three short words in the code usually say 'stop'. In this tiny thing, only one word says 'stop'. The other two now say two new things.
This little organism is so small you need a microscope to see it. The find is a big surprise. It shows life can be very different in small places.
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Key VocabularyDNA —the code inside cells that tells them what to do
cell —the smallest part of a living thing
protein —a tiny machine the body uses to work
rule —something that says what you can or cannot do
pond —a small area of still water
tiny —very, very small
microscope —a tool that makes very small things look big
surprise —something you did not expect
Exercises
Multiple Choice
1Where do the scientists work?
2Where did they find the tiny living thing?
3What does DNA tell the cell to make?
4How many short words usually say 'stop'?
5What do you need to see this tiny living thing?
True or False
6Most living things use the same DNA code.
7In this organism, all three stop words still say 'stop'.
8You need a microscope to see this living thing.
9The find was no surprise.
10DNA is found inside cells.
Fill in the Blank
11DNA is the code inside every ___.
12Scientists found the tiny living thing in a pond at ___.
13You need a ___ to see this little organism.