NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
What is the length of a codon in the genetic code?
Options
- ASingle
- BDouble
- CTriplet
- DQuadruple
Correct answer
C. Triplet
Step-by-step solution
Providing proof that the codon was a triplet , was a more daunting task. The chemical method developed by Har Gobind Khorana was instrumental in synthesizing RNA molecules with defined combinations of bases (homopolymers and copolymers). Marshall Nirenberg’s cell-free system for protein synthesis finally helped the code to be deciphered. Severo Ochoa enzyme (polynucleotide phosphorylase) was also helpful in polymerising RNA with defined sequences in a template independent manner (enzymatic synthesis of RNA).