Question

A set of three-letter combinations of nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid, represents the _________.

Answer 1

The three-letter combinations of nucleotides called codons represent the genetic code, which is a set of triplet code words in mRNA that dictate the amino acid sequence in proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

A set of three-letter combinations of nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid, represents the genetic code. A codon is a consecutive sequence of three nucleotides on an mRNA molecule that corresponds to one specific amino acid. The genetic code can therefore be described as the identification of each group of three nucleotides and its particular amino acid.

The sequence of these triplet groups in the mRNA dictates the sequence of the amino acids in the protein. There are a total of 64 possible combinations (4×4×4), which means that a given amino acid can be encoded by more than one nucleotide triplet. This relationship between an mRNA codon and its corresponding amino acid is what we call the genetic code.

Answer 2

A set of three-letter combinations of nucleotides known as codons makes up the genetic code, which dictates the sequence of amino acids in a protein. The genetic code consists of 64 possible combinations, allowing for some amino acids to be encoded by more than one codon.

Step-by-step explanation:

A set of three-letter combinations of nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid, represents the genetic code. The genetic code is essential in the synthesis of proteins, where each codon within a molecule of mRNA corresponds to a specific amino acid. The sequence of these codons dictates the sequence of amino acids in a protein, with each triplet coding for one of the twenty common amino acids used in cells.

It's noteworthy to mention that using a three-nucleotide code means that there are a total of 64 possible combinations, so one amino acid can be encoded by more than one nucleotide triplet. This aspect of the genetic code is why it is referred to as being degenerate; multiple codons can specify the same amino acid.

The process of translating the nucleotide-based genetic information into a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis involves the reading of mRNA codons in a 5' to 3' direction. Consequently, the genetic code acts as a universal set of instructions for the translation process that takes place in living organisms.