Universality of Genetic Code — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2023The salient features of genetic code include: (NEET 2023) (A) The code is palindromic (B) UGA acts as initiator codon (C) The code is unambiguous and specific (D) The code is nearly universal Choose the correct option:
The salient features of genetic code include: (NEET 2023) (A) The code is palindromic (B) UGA acts as initiator codon (C) The code is unambiguous and specific (D) The code is nearly universal Choose the correct option:
Which feature of genetic code allows bacteria to produce human insulin via rDNA technology? (NEET 2019)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: D — C and D only
Correct features are (C) unambiguous and specific, and (D) nearly universal. The genetic code is unambiguous - each codon codes for only one amino acid, and it's nearly universal across all life forms. Statement A is wrong - the code is not palindromic. Statement B is incorrect - UGA is a stop codon, not an initiator; AUG is the initiator codon. These are fundamental properties of the genetic code from NCERT molecular biology chapter.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
The code is nearly universal: for example, from bacteria to human UUU would code for Phenylalanine (phe). Some exceptions to this rule have been found in mitochondrial codons, and in some protozoans.
The genetic code is nearly universal across organisms, meaning the same codon (like UUU) codes for the same amino acid (Phenylalanine) in bacteria, plants, and humans. This universality is one of the key features proving all life shares a common genetic basis. Students often mistakenly think the code is absolutely universal with zero exceptions, but NEET tests the word 'nearly'—there ARE exceptions in mitochondrial DNA and some protozoans due to codon reassignment. Remember: universal ≠ absolutely universal; always account for rare exceptions in special organelles and organisms to avoid falling into trap answers.
What does NCERT say about code nearly universal for?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.