What is the genetic code?
A. The order of amino acids in proteins makes up the genetic code.
B. The order of amino acids in mRNA makes up the genetic code.
C. The order of nitrogen bases in tRNA makes up the genetic code.
D. The order of nitrogen bases in DNA makes up the genetic cod
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand what the genetic code is. The genetic code is a set of rules that determines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA is translated into the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
To find the answer, let's evaluate each option:
A. The order of amino acids in proteins makes up the genetic code.
This statement is incorrect because proteins are the end product of the genetic code, not the code itself.
B. The order of amino acids in mRNA makes up the genetic code.
This statement is also incorrect because mRNA is the messenger RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where it is translated into proteins. The genetic code is a set of rules that determine the translation process.
C. The order of nitrogen bases in tRNA makes up the genetic code.
This statement is incorrect because tRNA (transfer RNA) is responsible for transporting the appropriate amino acids to the ribosomes during translation. It does not dictate the genetic code.
D. The order of nitrogen bases in DNA makes up the genetic code.
This statement is correct. The order of the nitrogen bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) in DNA constitutes the genetic code. It is the specific sequence of these bases that carries the genetic information necessary for determining the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. The order of nitrogen bases in DNA makes up the genetic code.