Final answer:
The mRNA codon CCA codes for the amino acid proline, not arginine. This is determined by referencing the genetic code, which matches mRNA codon sequences with their corresponding amino acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amino acid for the mRNA codon sequence CCA is not arginine, but rather proline. This is deduced by using the genetic code to translate mRNA codons to their corresponding amino acids. While DNA codons differ from mRNA codons with respect to the thymine (T) in DNA being replaced by uracil (U) in mRNA, codon tables are typically specific for mRNA and indicate that CCA codes for proline. For example, the DNA codon GCA corresponds to arginine, which is different from CCA. It's essential to note that most amino acids are represented by multiple codons due to the redundancy of the genetic code, yet each codon specifies only one amino acid.
Regarding the genetic code and mRNA translation, the start codon is AUG, which also codes for methionine. Protein synthesis starts at this initiation codon and continues until a stop codon (e.g., UAA, UAG, UGA) is reached. Thus, the correct amino acid sequence is determined by reading the mRNA codons correctly, in accordance with the standard genetic code.