Question

How many codons code for amino acids and how many are stop codons?

Options

• 60 codons code for amino acids and 4 are stop codons

• 61 codons code for amino acids and 3 are stop codons

• 59 codons code for amino acids and 5 are stop codons

• 62 codons code for amino acids and 2 are stop codons

Answer 1

Out of the 64 total codons in the genetic code, exactly 61 codons specify amino acids, while 3 codons (UAA, UAG, and UGA) function as stop codons. Stop codons signal the termination of translation and the release of the completed polypeptide chain from the ribosome, ensuring that proteins are synthesized to the correct length.