In humans, the genetic code is represented by code of three nucleotides. If one amino acid is coded by more than one triplet, then this is known as:(AIIMS May 2012, Nov 2011)
**Core Concept**
The genetic code in humans is a set of three-nucleotide sequences called codons, which specify the amino acids to be incorporated into a growing protein chain during translation. However, some amino acids can be coded by multiple codons, leading to redundancy in the genetic code.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
This phenomenon is known as **degeneracy** of the genetic code. Degeneracy arises from the fact that some amino acids are encoded by more than one codon, allowing for flexibility in the genetic code. This is due to the wobble hypothesis proposed by Francis Crick, which states that the third nucleotide in a codon (the 5' end) can be variable, allowing for more than one codon to encode the same amino acid.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not relevant to the concept of degeneracy in the genetic code.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not describe the phenomenon of multiple codons encoding the same amino acid.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it describes a different concept related to the genetic code.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember that the genetic code is degenerate, meaning that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid, allowing for flexibility and redundancy in the genetic code.
**Correct Answer: C. Degeneracy.