(i) Differentiate between unambiguous and degenerate codons.
(ii) Write two functions of the codon AUG
(i) Differences between unambiguous and degenerate codons are:
Unambiguous Codon :
No ambiguity for a particular codon.
A particular codon will always code for the same amino acid, where it is found.
e.g. GGA is an unambiguous codon, it codes only for glycine and no other amino acid.
Degenerate Codon :
Code is degenerate for a particular amino acid.
One amino acid often has more than one code triplet.
e.g. Phenylalanine has two codons, i.e. UUU and UUC.
(ii) Functions of codon AUG is as follows:
(a) Codes for methionine
(b) Serves as a signal to initiate protein synthesis
(initiator codon).