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Multiple Choice
How many amino acids are coded by a set of codons that share the same first two nucleotide bases?
A
4
B
3
C
2
D
1
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid.
Recognize that the genetic code is degenerate, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.
Consider that if the first two nucleotides of a codon are fixed, the third nucleotide can vary.
Recall that there are four possible nucleotides (A, U, C, G) that can occupy the third position in a codon.
Conclude that the number of amino acids coded by codons sharing the same first two nucleotides depends on the variability of the third position, which can result in different amino acids or the same one due to degeneracy.