Question

Differentiate between the genetic codes given below:

(a) Unambiguous and Universal.

(b) Degenerate and Initiator. [2]

Answer 1

The following table gives the difference between the genetic codes:
$\begin{array}{cc}\text{Unambiguous}& \text{Universal}\\ \text{One codon codes for only}& \text{The codons are the same for}\\ \text{one amino acid [0.5].}& \text{all organisms from bacteria}\\ & \text{to humans [0.5].}\\ \text{Degenerate}& \text{Initiator}\\ \text{More than one codon codes}& \text{It acts as a start condon (AUG) [0.5].}\\ \text{for the same amino acid [0.5].}& \end{array}$