Question

what is the genetic basis for proof that codon is triplet and is read in a contiguous manner without punctuations?

Answer 1

• Since there are only four bases which code for twenty different amino acids, the code should be made up of three bases, i.e.,, (4 x 4 x 4) 64 codons, a number more than the required.
• If the codon consists of 4 letters, only (4 x4) sixteen codes are possible, which is less than the required.
• As the ribosomes moves on mRNA the codons are read in a contagiuos fashion.