Genetic Code

Question 1

Why is the genetic code described as being a triplet code?

Answer 1

Three bases codes for one amino acid.

Question 2

Why is the genetic code described as being universal?

Answer 2

All organisms use this code, although the sequence of bases coding for each individual protein will be different.

Question 3

Why is the genetic code described as being a degenerate code?

Answer 3

Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Question 4

Why is the genetic code described as being non-overlapping?

Answer 4

Having a single codon to signal the start of a sequence ensures that the triplet of bases are read ‘in frame’. I.e it is read from base 1, not 2 or 3, so it does not overlap.