Genetic code features broken down

Question 1

What does universal mean

Answer 1

This is when the same triplet of bases code for the same amino acid in all organisms. (the genetic code will be the exact same whether its a plant, bacteria etc. This is an advantage because it allows genetic engineering to be possible.

Question 2

What does degenerate mean

Answer 2

This is when more than one triplet codes for the same
amino acid. This is an advantage because this reduces the number of mutations and if a mutation were to happen, it may still code for the same amino acid and therefore have no effect.

Question 3

What does non-overlapping mean

Answer 3

This is when each base in a gene is only part of one triplet of bases that codes for one amino acid. Each codon or triplet of bases is read as a discrete unit. The triplets also don’t share any bases. This is an advantage because if a mutation occurs, it will only affect one codon and therefore one amino acid.