The genetic code is described as a degenerate code:
This means that
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 4
The genetic code is described as a degenerate code:
This means that
A. in almost all organisms the same DNA triplet is translated to the same amino acid.
B. some ami... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The genetic code is described as a degenerate code:
This means that
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. in almost all organisms the same DNA triplet is translated to the same amino acid.
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Answer
This statement is true as it indicates the universality of the genetic code across various organisms. However, it does not directly relate to the definition of degeneracy.
Step 2
B. some amino acids may be encoded by more than one codon.
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Answer
This is the correct answer. The degeneracy of the genetic code refers to the fact that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid, allowing for some flexibility in the DNA to protein translation.
Step 3
C. a single nucleotide cannot be part of two adjacent codons.
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Answer
This statement is misleading. In fact, overlapping reading frames can exist where a single nucleotide may participate in more than one codon across different sequence interpretations.
Step 4
D. three codons are needed to specify one amino acid.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. It is actually three nucleotides (not codons) that are needed to specify one amino acid, typically forming a codon. Each codon is made up of three nucleotides.
