Question

Out of 64 codons, 61 code for 20 types of amino acids. It is due to

• A. Universality of codons
• B. Degeneracy of genetic code
• C. Wobbling of codons
• D. Unambiguous nature of code

Answer 1

The correct option is B Degeneracy of genetic code

Degeneracy of genetic code

An amino acid can be coded by more than one codon. This property of genetic code is known as degeneracy. E.g. The codons for Valine are GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG. Thus even though there are 61 codons that can code for an amino acid, there are only 20 amino acids, this is because of the degeneracy of the genetic code.