Final answer:
Codons are the three bases found on mRNA that specify a particular amino acid in protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Codons are triplets of nucleotides on messenger RNA (mRNA) that encode specific amino acids during protein synthesis. Each codon corresponds to one of the 20 amino acids, with some codons generally signalling the start or stop of protein translation.
The genetic code is degenerate, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules recognize and bind to codons, delivering the appropriate amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain. This process, known as translation, is fundamental to cellular function, as proteins are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of cells, tissues, and organisms.