The Genetic Code

Question 1

What is the genetic code?

Answer 1

The sequence of bases along the polypeptide strand

Question 2

What is a triplet?

Answer 2

Every three bases is known as a triplet which codes for an amino acid.

Start triplet —> first three bases
Stop triplet —> last three bases

Question 3

Describe the features of the genetic code.

Answer 3

1. Degenerate
   —> different triplets code for the same amino acid.
2. Non-overlapping
   —> each base appears in only one triplet
3. Universal
   —> triplets code for the same amino acids in all organisms

Question 4

Describe how you would read the DNA triplet table.

Answer 4

1st base in triplet = left hand side

2nd base in triplet = top of table