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64 codons

Can someone please briefly outline to me why there are 64 codons in genetic code?

I thought its because there's 4 possible bases (A,C,G, T/U), and it needs to code for 20 amino acids. 4x4 = 16 = not enough, but 4x4x4 = 64 = more than enough?

need it for my OU end of course assessment.
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MadNatSci
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Jackarias
Can someone please briefly outline to me why there are 64 codons in genetic code?

I thought its because there's 4 possible bases (A,C,G, T/U), and it needs to code for 20 amino acids. 4x4 = 16 = not enough, but 4x4x4 = 64 = more than enough?

need it for my OU end of course assessment.

Yep, that's precisely why. There are 64 codons because there are four bases and each codon is three bases long, to give enough variety to specifically code for the 20 naturally-occurring amino acids. With 64 possible codons you have 'wiggle-room' as well, which makes a point mutation just that bit less likely to cause a major problem - not a reason for the 3-base codons but a useful side-effect!

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