Why is it possible for an amino acid to be specified by more then one kind of codon?

Answer 1

Im pretty sure its "Some codons have the same sequence of nucleotides" It keeps repeating nucleotides over and over in the paragraph in my textbook. Mine just goes "Because there are four different bases, there are 64 possible three-base codons. As you can see [it shows genetic code chart], some amino acids can be specified by more than one codon. So I kind of think it has to do with there being so many possibilites.

Answer 2

A codon is three nucleotides side by side. Such as (CTT) and (CTC). They both code for Leucine (Leu). Usually What is recognized is the first two nucleotides, you will notice that if you look closely at the amino acid / codon table.

The only explanation I know for this mechanism is to preserve the DNA. Many mutations occur to our DNA and we have evolved to combat it. By giving our body "second chances" the mistake will not be noticible because CTT and CTC both code for Leu. This kind of mutation is known as silent, and there are other types.

The machienery in our cells that read and repair DNA are very complicated, and depend on many things. It is possible because of millions of years of trial and error, that have produces good (not perfect) systems for preserving our DNA.

It is possible because it is evolution.

Answer 3

There are four bases (A, T,C and G) available for the gentic code and there are 20 amino acids to be coded for.

If each base coded for one amino acid this would only cover 4 (41) amino acids.

If pairs of bases coded for an amino acid it could code for 16 (42) amino acids

If triplets of bases code for amino acids you can have 64 (43) different codons. Since there are only 20 amino acids, this gives 44 spare codons, allowing some amino acids to be coded for by more than one codon. Some of the spare codons are used for stert and stop signals.

Answer 4

Because there are 64 different kinds of codons but only 20 amino acids.

Answer 5

i am searching back in my brain here, but I believe it is because the middle is not important for instance, if the amino acid being coded is ACG you can have AGG as well.

Answer 6

look on a codon chart- you can have many combinations coding for the same amino acid.

Answer 7

because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. they break apart and then come back together and are multipurpose agents causing them to be a variety of codons.