RG Genetic Code

• briefly state the 3 features of the genetic code?

  Non-overlapping, Degenerate, Universal
• What is the genetic code?

  The sequence of base triplets in mRNA which code for specific amino acids
• Explain the genetic code being non-overlapping?

  Each base triplet is read in sequence, separate from the triplet before it and after it. Base triplets do not share their bases
• Explain the genetic code being degenerate?

  There are more possible combinations of triplets than there are amino acids (20 amino acids but 64 possible triplets)

  • this means that some amino acids are coded for by more than 1 base triplet
• how many amino acids?

  20
• how many possible triplets?

  64
• Explain the genetic code being universal?

  The same specific base triplets code for the same amino acids in all living things
• What are some triplets used to do?

  To tell the cell when to start and stop production of the protein- these are called start and stop codons
• Where are start and stop signals/codons found?

  At the beginning and end of the mRNA
• what does dna contain vs rna?

  DNA contains T

  RNA contains U