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Chapter 15: Problem 42

What characteristic of the genetic code points to a common ancestry for all organisms? a. The code is degenerate b. The code contains 64 codons. c. The genetic code is almost universal. d. The code contains stop codons

Short Answer

Expert verified
c. The genetic code is almost universal.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the question

Identify which characteristic of the genetic code indicates a shared ancestry among all organisms. There are four options to consider.
02

Analyze the first option

Option a: 'The code is degenerate.' This means that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid. While this is true, it does not directly indicate a common ancestry.
03

Analyze the second option

Option b: 'The code contains 64 codons.' This describes the total number of codons, but does not necessarily point to a shared genetic ancestry.
04

Analyze the third option

Option c: 'The genetic code is almost universal.' This means that nearly all organisms use the same genetic code, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin. It points strongly to a common ancestry.
05

Analyze the fourth option

Option d: 'The code contains stop codons.' This feature is a part of the genetic code, but it does not directly indicate common ancestry.
06

Select the most relevant option

After evaluating all options, it is clear that option c, 'The genetic code is almost universal,' is the characteristic that best indicates a common ancestry for all organisms.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

common ancestry
The idea of common ancestry forms a pivotal concept in evolutionary biology. It suggests that all organisms originated from a single common ancestor. Evidence supporting common ancestry is found in various biological structures and genetic codes. For instance, the nearly universal nature of the genetic code strongly indicates that all life forms share a common origin.

  • Genetic similarity: Many species share significant portions of their DNA, underscoring their shared lineage.
  • Homologous structures: Similar anatomical features in different species point towards a shared ancestry.
  • Fossil records: Remains of ancient organisms show gradual changes over time, suggesting a common origin.
These elements form the crux of why the universality of the genetic code is often seen as the most compelling evidence of common ancestry.
genetic code
The genetic code is essentially the language of life. It is a set of rules used by living cells to translate information encoded within genetic material (DNA or RNA) into proteins. The genetic code is made up of sequences of three nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

  • Codons: There are 64 codons in total, and they encode 20 amino acids and stop signals.
  • Degeneracy: Most amino acids are represented by more than one codon. This is called the code's degeneracy.
  • Universality: A defining feature is that it is almost universal, with few exceptions found in some mitochondria and microorganisms.
This near-universal genetic code is a strong indicator that all organisms evolved from a common ancestor, reflecting a shared biological heritage.
evolutionary biology
Evolutionary biology is the branch of biology that studies the processes that produced the diversity of life on Earth. It draws upon genetics, paleontology, and natural selection to explain how species change over time.

  • Natural selection: Traits that enhance survival are more likely to be passed on to the next generation.
  • Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
  • Genetic variation: Differences in DNA sequences among individuals help populations evolve and adapt over time.
These principles help us understand not only the common heritage of all life forms but also the mechanisms by which diverse life has evolved.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How does the enzyme reverse transcriptase violate the central dogma of molecular biology in HIV? a. The enzyme reverse transcriptase reverse transcribes the RNA in the genome of HIV to DNA. b. The enzyme reverse transcriptase translates the RNA of the HIV into protein and then back to DNA. c. The enzyme reverse transcriptase transcribes the DNA straight into the protein molecules. d. The enzyme reverse transcriptase transcribes DNA to RNA, then again to DNA. There is no protein synthesis.

What part of central dogma is not always followed in viruses? a. The flow of information in HIV is from RNA to DNA, then back to RNA to proteins. Influenza viruses never go through DNA. b. The flow of information is from protein to RNA in HIV virus, while the influenza virus converts DNA to RNA. c. The flow of information is similar, but nucleic acids are synthesized as a result of translation in HIV and influenza viruses. d. The flow of information is from RNA to protein. This protein is used to synthesize the DNA of the viruses in HIV and influenza

The RNA world hypothesis proposes that the first complex molecule was RNA and it preceded protein formation. Which major function of the ribosomal RNA supports the hypothesis? a. rRNA has catalytic properties in the large subunit and it assembles proteins. b. rRNA is a protein molecule that helps in the synthesis of other proteins. c. rRNA is essential for the transcription process. d. rRNA plays a major role in post-translational processes.

A tRNA is chemically modified so that the amino acid bound is different than the one specified by its anticodon. Which codon in the mRNA would the tRNA recognize: the one specified by its anticodon or the one that matches the modified amino acid it carries? a. The anticodon will match the codon in mRNA. b. The anticodon will match with the modified amino acid it carries. c. The anticodon will lose the specificity for the tRNA molecule. d. The enzyme amino acyl tRNA synthetase would lose control over the amino acid.

The peptide bond synthesis in prokaryotic translation is catalyzed by: a. a ribosomal protein b. a cytoplasmic protein c. mRNA itself d. ribosomal RNA
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