If more than one codon codes for same amino acid, this phenomenon is known as?
## **Core Concept**
The phenomenon where more than one codon codes for the same amino acid is a fundamental concept in molecular biology, specifically in the field of genetics and protein synthesis. This concept is closely related to the **degeneracy of the genetic code**. The genetic code is a set of rules used by living cells to translate information encoded within genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) into proteins.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, ** degeneracy**, refers to the redundancy of the genetic code, where multiple codons can encode the same amino acid. This occurs because there are 64 possible codons (4^3, since there are 4 types of nucleotides and each codon is 3 nucleotides long) but only 20 standard amino acids and three stop signals. As a result, some amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. For example, the amino acid leucine is encoded by six different codons (UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, CUG).
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option is blank and cannot be evaluated.
- **Option B:** This option is blank and cannot be evaluated.
- **Option C:** This option is blank and cannot be evaluated.
- **Option D:** This option is blank and cannot be evaluated.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that while multiple codons can code for the same amino acid (synonymous codons), the usage of these codons can vary between species, and this variation can influence gene expression levels. However, the amino acid sequence of the protein (and thus its function) remains unchanged.
## **Correct Answer:** . Degeneracy