The Genetic Code and Nucleic Acid

Question 1

what is the genetic code

Answer 1

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

Question 2

in the genetic code how is each triplet read

Answer 2

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

Question 3

in the genetic code how many amino acids are there and how many triplets, and what does this mean

Answer 3

20 amino acids, 64 triplets.

This means that some amino acids are coded for by more than one base triplet e.g. tyrosine can be coded for by UAU or UAC

Question 4

what are start and stop signals and where are they located

Answer 4

start and stop signals are triplets that are used to tell the cell when to start and stop production of the protein.

they are found at the beginning and end of the mRNA

Question 5

what is another name for start and stop signals

Answer 5

codons

Question 6

the genetic code is universal, what does this mean

Answer 6

the same specific base triplets code for the same amino acids in all living things e.g. UAU codes tyrosine in all organisms

Question 7

because mRNA is a complementary copy of the DNA template, the DNA sequence for each amino acid is made up of bases that would pair with the mRNA sequence e.g. what would pair with GUG?

Answer 7

CAC

Question 8

what are tRNA anticodons complementary copies of

Answer 8

mRNA codons