Final answer:
A sequence of three mRNA bases that codes for a single amino acid during protein synthesis is called a codon. These codons are crucial elements in the translation process taking place in ribosomes, where they determine the amino acid sequence of proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sequence of three bases in mRNA that determines the production of an amino acid during protein synthesis is known as a codon. During transcription, genetic information is copied from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA), with the DNA sequence 5'-AATTGCGC-3' being transcribed to the complementary RNA sequence 3'-UUAACGCG-5'. The mRNA then interacts with ribosomes, where translation occurs: here the genetic code is read in 'words' or codons, each consisting of three nucleotide bases that specify a particular amino acid.
The genetic code, which resides in the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA, directly determines the order of amino acids within a protein. This three-nucleotide sequence, called the triplet codon, is crucial in the translation process because each codon corresponds to a single amino acid, contributing to the diverse protein structure and function necessary for life.