Question

Which of the following sets of codons all code for the same amino acid, demonstrating degeneracy?

Options

• AUG, UAA, and UAG all code for methionine

• GCU, GCC, and GCA all code for aspartate

• GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG all code for valine

• UUU, UUC, and UUA all code for alanine

Answer 1

The codons GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG all code for the amino acid valine. These synonymous codons differ primarily in the third base, exemplifying the degeneracy of the genetic code. This flexibility at the third base position is called the wobble effect.