DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis- The Genetic Code and Nucleic Acids

Question 1

What is the genetic code?

Answer 1

The sequence of base triplets in mRNA which code for specific amino acids

Question 2

How is each base triplet read in the genetic code?

Answer 2

In sequence, separate from the triplet before and after it

Question 3

What does it mean that the code is non-overlapping?

Answer 3

Base triplets don’t share their bases

Question 4

What does it mean that the code is degenerate?

Answer 4

There are more possible combinations of triplets than there are amino acids which means that some amino acids are coded for by more than one base triplet

Question 5

What are start and stop signals?

Answer 5

Triplets that are used to tell the cell when to start and stop production of the protein

Question 6

Where are start and stop signals found?

Answer 6

At the beginning and end of the mRNA

Question 7

What does it mean that the code is universal?

Answer 7

The same specific base triplets code for the same amino acids in all living things