Question

Some amino acids are coded by more than one codon. Such code is known as

• A. unambiguous
• B. degenerate/redundant
• C. universal
• D. specific

Hint:

Remember: One amino acid can be coded by multiple codons → degeneracy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Nature of genetic code.
The genetic code has redundancy — multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. This is called degeneracy of the genetic code.
Step 2: Example.
Leucine is coded by six different codons.
Step 3: Analyzing options.
(A) Unambiguous: Incorrect — Each codon specifies only one amino acid.
(B) Degenerate/redundant: Correct — More than one codon codes for same amino acid.
(C) Universal: Incorrect — The code is nearly universal across organisms.
(D) Specific: Incorrect — Misleading, as redundancy is the point here.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, such a code is called degenerate/redundant.