Question

Explain why the genetic code is a triplet code, the value of it being non-overlapping and the reason for it being degenerate.

Accepted Answer

Why it is a triplet code:It is a triplet code because a sequence of 3 bases codes for 1 amino acidIf it was a doublet code, there would be 16 possible codons which is not enough for the 20 amino acidsSince it is a triplet code it has 64 possible codons which allows multiple codons to code for a single amino acid, reducing the effects of mutations on protein structureValue of the code being non-overlapping:Each subsequent codon is not limited to the last 2 letters of the codon beforeThis means there can be any combination of amino acidsWhy the code is degenerate:The genetic code is a degenerate code because for most amino acids there is more than 1 possible codonThis means not all mutations will change the amino acid sequence & primary structure

Code Amino Triplet Codons Acids Genetic Sequence Mutations