Which characteristics are true of the genetic code?

The genetic code is described as universal, non-overlapping, and degenerate.

When we say the genetic code is universal, it means that the same codons specify the same amino acids in nearly all organisms, from the simplest bacteria to complex plants and animals. This highlights a shared evolutionary heritage among all life forms, demonstrating a common biochemical language.

The term non-overlapping signifies that each nucleotide in the mRNA is part of only one codon. This means that the reading frame is distinct and sequential; once the ribosome starts translating, it reads three bases at a time as a separate, distinct codon without any overlap into neighboring codons.

Degeneracy of the genetic code indicates that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid. For instance, there are several codons that specify the amino acid leucine. This feature allows for some level of mutation in the DNA sequence without necessarily altering the resulting protein, contributing to the robustness of genetic information.

The combination of these characteristics—universal, non-overlapping, and degenerate—underscores the fundamental nature of the genetic code in biology and its significance in the processes of transcription and translation in cells.