Question

Give any two features of Genetic Code.

Answer 1

Feature of genetic code:

• The codon is triplet. 61 codons code for amino acids and 3 codons do not code for any amino acids, hence they function as stop codons.
• One codon codes for only one amino acid, hence, it is  unambiguous and specific
• Some amino acids are coded by more than one codon, hence the code is degenerate.
• The codon is read in mRNA in a continuous fashion. There are no punctuations.
• The code is nearly universal: for example, from bacteria to human UUU would code for Phenylalanine (phe). Some exceptions to this rule have been found in mitochondrial codons, and in some protozoans.
• AUG has dual functions. It codes for Methionine (met) , and it also act as initiator codon.