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Multiple Choice
Which codon specifies the amino acid methionine in protein synthesis?
A
AUG
B
UGG
C
GCU
D
UAA
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis.
Recall that the genetic code is universal and each codon specifies a particular amino acid.
Identify the codon that specifies the amino acid methionine. Methionine is unique because it is also the start codon, which initiates protein synthesis.
Review the standard genetic code chart to find the codon for methionine. The codon AUG is known to code for methionine.
Recognize that the other codons listed (UGG, GCU, UAA) correspond to different amino acids or functions: UGG codes for tryptophan, GCU codes for alanine, and UAA is a stop codon.