How is the four-letter language of nucleic acids converted into the 20-word language of amino acids?
A) The four nucleic acid bases combine in two-letter combinations that define different amino acids.
B) The four nucleic acid bases combine in three-letter sequences that define different amino acids.
C) Triplets of the two-letter nucleic acid bases are translated into the 20 different amino acids.
D) The four bases each specify one amino acid, which in combination give rise to the remaining sixteen amino acids.
E) The four bases are first converted into tRNA molecules, which can each attach to five amino acids.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The four nucleic acid bases (adenine, thymine [or uracil in RNA], cytosine, and guanine) combine in three-letter sequences known as codons, each of which specifies a particular amino acid. This is the fundamental process of translation in protein synthesis, allowing the genetic code to be expressed as proteins.

How Is the Four-Letter Language of Nucleic Acids Converted into the 20-Word