Which of the following is not a property of the genetic code ?
- Ambiguous
- Universal
- Degeneracy
- Non-overlapping
Answer
(1) Ambiguous
Solution
As per NCERT, the salient features of the genetic code are:
(i) The codon is a triplet and the code is read in a contiguous manner (non-overlapping, comma-less).
(ii) The code is degenerate – some amino acids are coded by more than one codon.
(iii) The code is nearly universal – from bacteria to humans UUU codes for phenylalanine.
(iv) The code is unambiguous and specific – one codon codes for only one amino acid.
∴ "Ambiguous" is not a property of the genetic code.
Answer: (1)