What is the triplet code in genetics?

The triplet code in genetics refers to the way in which sequences of nucleotides in DNA or RNA are translated into amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid is specified by a sequence of three nucleotides, known as a codon. This means that a triplet of bases corresponds to one specific amino acid. For example, the codon “AUG” codes for the amino acid methionine, which is also the start signal for protein synthesis.

This coding system is crucial because it establishes the precise link between the genetic code and the amino acid sequence in proteins, allowing for the synthesis of a vast diversity of proteins necessary for life. Each combination of three bases can potentially code for one of the twenty standard amino acids, thereby creating a rich vocabulary for protein assembly.

In contrast, other options do not accurately define the triplet code. A sequence of two bases would not provide enough variability to code for all 20 amino acids effectively, a single base cannot determine protein structure on its own, and a series of amino acids refers to the resultant polypeptide or protein rather than the genetic coding system.