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Why is there more than one codon for each amino acid? so small errors will hopefully still code for the SAME amino acid so small errors will always add up to giant errors so a necessary protein is NEVER formed so small errors will never occur, only big errors occur

5 answers

The phenomenon where multiple codons code for the same amino acid is known as codon redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code. This redundancy can be understood in several ways:

  1. Error Tolerance: As you mentioned, having multiple codons for the same amino acid can help buffer against small mutations or errors in the DNA or mRNA. These can result from various factors, such as replication errors or environmental influences. If a mutation changes one nucleotide in a codon, there is a chance that the new codon will still specify the same amino acid, thus maintaining the integrity of the protein.

  2. Evolutionary Advantage: Codon redundancy is thought to have evolved as a mechanism to provide robustness in the genetic code. This robustness allows organisms to tolerate mutations better, which can lead to greater evolutionary flexibility. Such flexibility is advantageous for survival, as it ensures that essential proteins are produced even in the presence of genetic changes.

  3. Amino Acid Frequency: Certain amino acids are more prevalent in proteins than others, and the codons for those amino acids may vary in their frequency and usage across different organisms. This can allow for efficient translation in different contexts, as some codons might be recognized more quickly by the translation machinery.

  4. Transcription and Translation Factors: The different codons may be used to alter the efficiency and timing of protein synthesis. Some codons may be recognized more quickly by tRNAs that are abundant in the cell, leading to faster protein production.

  5. Avoidance of Toxicity: If every amino acid was coded by a single codon, a single point mutation could lead to a different amino acid being incorporated into a protein, potentially creating a malfunctioning or toxic protein. Codon redundancy helps mitigate this risk.

Overall, the redundancy in the genetic code serves as an evolutionary strategy to enhance the stability of protein synthesis, giving organisms the flexibility to thrive in varying conditions while minimizing the impact of genetic mutations.

pick one of the provided answers

Let's focus on error tolerance.

Codon redundancy helps buffer against small mutations or errors in the DNA or mRNA. If a mutation changes one nucleotide in a codon, there's a chance that the new codon will still specify the same amino acid, thus maintaining the integrity of the protein. This mechanism allows organisms to tolerate genetic variations and enhances the stability of essential proteins, making sure that small errors do not lead to significant functional changes in proteins.

No pick one of the answers that i provided in my question

I apologize for the misunderstanding. Based on your provided answers, I would choose "so small errors will hopefully still code for the SAME amino acid." This succinctly captures one of the main benefits of having multiple codons for a single amino acid: it provides a buffer against mutations, thereby maintaining the functionality of proteins in the face of genetic variability.