The genetic code is said to be redundant or degenerate. This means that
A) a single tRNA can mediate the addition of several different amino acids to the growing protein chain.
B) for each type of amino acid, there is only one transfer RNA which can mediate its addition to the growing protein chain.
C) three amino acids in the protein chain are specified by each codon.
D) three bases in mRNA are required to specify one amino acid in the protein chain.
E) there may be more than one codon for a given amino acid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The genetic code is redundant or degenerate because multiple codons can specify the same amino acid. For example, the amino acid leucine is specified by six different codons: UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG. This redundancy allows for some flexibility in the genetic code and reduces the negative effects of mutations.

The Genetic Code Is Said to Be Redundant or Degenerate