Genetic code and nucleic acids

Question 1

What is the genetic code?

Answer 1

The sequence of base triplets (codons) in mRNA which codes for specific amino acids

Question 2

What is meant by the code is non-overlapping?

Answer 2

-Each base triplet is read in sequence separate from the triplet before and after it
-Base triplets don’t share their bases, the code is non-overlapping

Question 3

What is meant by the code being degenerate?

Answer 3

-There are more possible combinations of triplets than there are amino acids
-Some amino acids are coded for by more than one base trip,lit

Question 4

What is meant by the code being universal?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What does the genetic code being universal provide evidence for?

Answer 5

-Evolution
-The code may have been preserved from a common ancestor of all living organisms