Genetic Code Flashcards
1
Q
Why is the genetic code described as being a triplet code?
A
Three bases codes for one amino acid.
2
Q
Why is the genetic code described as being universal?
A
All organisms use this code, although the sequence of bases coding for each individual protein will be different.
3
Q
Why is the genetic code described as being a degenerate code?
A
Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.
4
Q
Why is the genetic code described as being non-overlapping?
A
Having a single codon to signal the start of a sequence ensures that the triplet of bases are read ‘in frame’. I.e it is read from base 1, not 2 or 3, so it does not overlap.
