Question

Degeneracy in the genetic code was found by

• A. Bernfield and Nirenberg
• B. Watson and Crick
• C. McClintock and Creighton
• D. Hedges and Jacob
• E. Lagervist

Answer 1

The correct option is E Lagervist

The genetic code is degenerate which means that most amino acids are specied by more than one codon. As we know that there are only four nucleotides namely deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine and deoxycytidine. Further, there are 20 essential amino acids that are to be encoded by these four nucleotides. A triplet code could make a genetic code for 64 different combinations (4 X 4 X 4) genetic code. Thus, there are ample of codons to specify 20 amino acids. Genetic code degeneracy was identified by Lagervist. He showed that codons GAA and GAG specify glutamic acid and exhibit degeneracy. Correct option is E.