Multiple codons specifying an animo acid differ by only one base, the third or 3’ base of the

codon. The degeneracy is primarily of two types. (1) Partial degenery occurs when the third base
may be either one of the two pyrimides (U and C) or, alternavely, either one of eracy, changing the
third base from a purine to a prymidine, or vice versa, will change the amino acid specified by the
codon. (2) In the case of complate degeneracy, any og the four bases may be present at the third
position in the codon, and the codon will still specify the same amino acid. For example, valine is
specified by GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG (Table10.1)

It has been speculated that the order in the genetic code has evolved as a way of minimizing
mutational lethality. Many base subsitutions at the third position of codon do not change the amino
acid specified by the codon. Moreover, aminno acids with similar chemical properties (such as
leucine, isolelucine, and valine) have codons that differ from each other by only one base. Thus,
many single, base-pair subtitutions will result in the subsitution of one amino acid for another amino
acid with very similar chemical properties (e.g., valine for isoleucine). In most ceses, such
subsitutions will not result in inactive gene-product; again, this minimizes the effects of mutations.

Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, there must either be several different tRNAs
that recognize the diffrent codons specifying a given amino acid or the anticodon of given tRNA must
be’able to base-pair with several different codons. Actually, both of these occur. Several tRNAs exist
for certain aminoo acids, and some tRNA recognize more than one codon. The hydrogen bonding
between the bases in the anticodon of tRNA an the codon of mRNA appears to hfollow strict base-
pairing rules (i.e., be “tight”) only for the first two bases of the codon. The base-pairing involving the
third base of the codon os apparently less stringent, allowing what Crick has called wobble at this
site.