Final answer:
A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence that codes for an amino acid. It is read by the cell during protein synthesis. For example, the sequence 5'-AUGCCACGAGUUGAC-3' codes for met-pro-arg-val-asp.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a three-nucleotide sequence that codes for an amino acid is called a codon. A codon is a consecutive sequence of three nucleotides on an mRNA molecule that corresponds to a specific amino acid. The genetic code works as a series of three-letter codes, where each sequence of three letters corresponds to one of the twenty common amino acids. The triplets are read by the cell during protein synthesis. For example, the sequence 5'-AUGCCACGAGUUGAC-3' codes for met-pro-arg-val-asp.