Final answer:
A series of three nucleotide bases that specifies a particular amino acid is known as a codon, which is essential for translating genetic information into the proteins that perform various functions in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
A series of three nucleotide bases that specifies the insertion of a particular amino acid into a polypeptide chain is called a codon. The genetic code consists of these codons where each codon corresponds to one amino acid or a stop signal during the process of translation. In a way, the codon acts as a 'word' in the language of genetic information: for instance, the codon CAC specifies the amino acid valine.
As part of the central dogma of molecular biology, information from DNA is transcribed into mRNA, and these mRNA codons are then translated into the amino acid sequence that forms a protein. It is also worth noting that the first two nucleotide bases in a codon are typically the most significant in determining which amino acid is specified, while the third base often has flexibility, known as the "wobble" base. This degeneracy of the genetic code allows for some mutations to occur without altering the protein's amino acid sequence.