Question

In genetic coding, triplet codons make possible 64 types of codons. If the genetic code was a doublet instead of a triplet codon, the number of types of codons possible would be

• A. 64 types of codons
• B. 4 types of codons
• C. 24 types of codons
• D. 16 types of codons

Answer 1

The correct option is D 16 types of codons

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. A code of single nucleotides would give only four amino acids to be translated. The doublet code would code for 16 amino acids (4 x 4). Option D is correct answer.