Genetic Code

Question 1

What is the advantage of the genetic code being degenerate

Answer 1

• if substitution occurs the new triplet of bases may still code for the same amino acids
• so no impact of the final protein produced

Question 2

What is a mutation

Answer 2

• change in DNA
• either be a gene or chromosome

Question 3

What is a gene mutation

Answer 3

Change in the base sequence of a gene

Question 4

What is a chromosome mutation

Answer 4

Change in the number of chromosomes
Occurs in meiosis

Question 5

What is meant be the genetic code is non overlapping

Answer 5

Each base in a gene is only part of one triplet of bases that codes for one amino acid
So each codon is read as discrete unit

Question 6

What is a discrete unit

Answer 6

A separate unit eg a codon

Question 7

What is the advantage of a non-overlapping genetic code

Answer 7

If a point mutation occurs it will only affect one codon and therefore one amino acid

Question 8

What is meant by the universal genetic code

Answer 8

The same triplet of DNA bases codes for the same amino acid in all organisms

Question 9

Advantages of universal genetic code

Answer 9

• genetic engineering
• a human gene can be inserted into another organism’s usually bacteria makes insulin for humans