Multiple Choice
In the genetic code, how many mRNA codons specify a single amino acid during translation?
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1. Introduction to Biochemistry
Central Dogma
Multiple Choice
In the context of the central dogma and translation, how many codons are required to specify one amino acid in a growing polypeptide chain?
A
One nucleotide specifies one amino acid.
B
One codon specifies one amino acid.
C
Three codons specify one amino acid.
D
One codon specifies three amino acids.
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the genetic code is read in sets of three nucleotides called codons during the process of translation.
Understand that each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal in the growing polypeptide chain.
Recognize that one codon consists of three nucleotides, and this triplet sequence uniquely specifies one amino acid.
Note that one nucleotide alone cannot specify an amino acid because there are only four types of nucleotides, which is insufficient to code for 20 amino acids.
Therefore, the correct relationship is that one codon (three nucleotides) specifies one amino acid in the polypeptide chain.
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