How can DNA, which is made up of only four different bases, encode the information necessary to specify the workings of an entire organism?
A) DNA molecules are extremely long.
B) DNA molecules form codons of three bases that code for amino acids.
C) The genetic code is redundant but not ambiguous.
D) DNA can be replicated with low error rates.
E) All of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true and contribute to the ability of DNA to encode the information necessary for an organism's workings. The length of DNA molecules allows for a large amount of information to be stored, the codons of three bases allow for 64 possible combinations, and the redundancy of the genetic code means that multiple codons can code for the same amino acid, reducing the impact of mutations. Low error rates in DNA replication ensure that the genetic information is accurately transmitted to offspring.

How Can DNA, Which Is Made Up of Only Four