Explain what it means to say that the genetic code is redundant. How does thi

The mRNA codons UCU, UCC, UCA, UCG, AGU, AGC all code for the same amino acid - Serine - when being translated into a protein. That's six codon sequences for the same amino acid! The fact that certain multiple codon sequences can all code for the same amino acid is what gives the genetic code the property of being "Redundant". In simpler terms, this statement means that some amino acids can be specified by more than one codon.


This is beneficial because if a mutation occurs - thereby making one of those six different codons nonfunctional - then at least the other five can still code for serine. So, it doesn't have to always be so precise. This redundancy allows the protein-synthesizing machinery of the cell to get by with less.

The genetic code is redundant, most amino acids being encoded by several codons.


Redundancy allows an organism to absorb mutations with no effect. Also, many gene functions are redundant, with more than one gene in the genome contributing to that function. Knock out one of
the genes and the product of the other is suf?cient to produce a normal phenotype.