15.1 The Genetic Code

Question 1

central dogma

Answer 1

states that genes specify the sequence of
mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of proteins

Question 2

colinear

Answer 2

in terms of RNA and protein, three “units” of RNA
(nucleotides) specify one “unit” of protein (amino acid) in
a consecutive fashion

Question 3

degenerate

Answer 3

describes that a given amino acid can be encoded by more than one nucleotide triplet; the code is degenerate, but not ambiguous

Question 4

codons

Answer 4

three consecutive nucleotides in mRNA that specify
the insertion of an amino acid or the release of a
polypeptide chain during translation (nucleotide triplets)

Question 5

reading frame

Answer 5

sequence of triplet codons in mRNA that specify a particular protein; a ribosome shift of one or
two nucleotides in either direction completely abolishes
synthesis of that protein