GENETIC Code

What is the genetic code?

The sequence of nitrogen bases (A, C, G, U) in mRNA that codes for amino acids or start/stop signals.

What are codons?

Triplets of nitrogen bases that code for one amino acid or a start/stop signal.

How many codons are there?

There are 64 codons.

How many amino acids are there?

There are 20 amino acids.

What is the start codon?

The start codon is AUG, which codes for methionine.

How is the genetic code read?

The mRNA sequence is read in groups of three bases (codons), starting from the start codon and stopping at a stop codon.

What are the stop codons?

The stop codons are UAG, UGA, and UAA.

What are the three characteristics of the genetic code?

The genetic code is universal, unambiguous, and redundant.

What does 'universal' mean in the context of the genetic code?

It means that the genetic code is used by all known living organisms.

What does 'unambiguous' mean in the context of the genetic code?

It means that each codon codes for only one amino acid.

What does 'redundant' mean in the context of the genetic code?

It means that most amino acids have multiple codons that code for them.