When scientists were attempting to determine the structure of the genetic code,Crick and coworkers found that when three base additions or three base deletions occurred in a single gene,the wild-type phenotype was sometimes restored.These data supported the hypothesis that ________.
A) the code is triplet
B) the code contains internal punctuation
C) AUG is the initiating triplet
D) the code is overlapping
E) there are three amino acids per base

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the phenotype was sometimes restored when three bases were added or deleted indicates that the genetic code is triplet, meaning that three nucleotides code for one amino acid. If the code were not triplet, the addition or deletion of three bases would cause a frameshift mutation and result in a completely different amino acid sequence.

When Scientists Were Attempting to Determine the Structure of the Genetic