Question

The genetic code is three-letter code. If the code were a four-letter code, how many codons would exist in the genetic code? The answer should be 256, please explain. Will give a thumbs up.

Answer 1

In a DNA sequence, the code for each amino acids consists of a sequence nucleotide bases such as A = adenine, C = cytosine, T = thymine (or U = uracil in RNA), and G = guanine. If the code were a two-letter code then the four DNA bases, A, T, C and G will produce 4² codons that means 16 codons. If the code were a three-letter code then the four DNA bases, A, T, C and G will produce 4³ codons that means 64 codons. If the code were a four-letter code then the four DNA bases, A, T, C and G will produce 4⁴ codons that means 256 codons.

So, if the code was a four-letter code then the four DNA bases, A, T, C and G will produce 4⁴ codons that means 256 codons.