It has been suggested that the present-day triplet genetic codeevolved from a doublet code when there were fewer amino acidsavailable for primitive protein synthesis. As determined by comparisons of ancient and recently evolved proteins, cysteine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine appear to be latearriving amino acids. In addition, they are considered to have been absent in the abiotic Earth. All three of these amino acids have only two codons each, while many others, earlier in origin, have more. Is this mere coincidence, or might there be some underlying explanation?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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It has been suggested that the present-day triplet genetic code
evolved from a doublet code when there were fewer amino acids
available for primitive protein synthesis. As determined by comparisons of ancient and recently evolved
proteins, cysteine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine appear to be latearriving
amino acids. In addition, they are considered to have
been absent in the abiotic Earth. All three of these amino acids
have only two codons each, while many others, earlier in origin,
have more. Is this mere coincidence, or might there be some
underlying explanation?

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