[Campbell Biology P.57] The text states, “This universality of the genetic code is a strong... | Practice Question

The text states, “This universality of the genetic code is a strong piece of evidence that all life is related.” What is the most significant implication of this statement regarding gene expression across different species?

  • A: Genes from one organism can often be expressed and produce functional proteins in another organism.
  • B: All organisms have identical DNA sequences for their genes.
  • C: Genetic mutations occur at the same rate in all species.
  • D: All proteins produced by different organisms have the same function.

Explanation

The universality of the genetic code means that a specific sequence of nucleotides a codon codes for the same amino acid in nearly all living organisms. This implies that if a gene from one organism is introduced into another, the recipient organism's cellular machinery will be able to read that gene and produce the same protein, provided the regulatory mechanisms are compatible. This forms the basis for genetic engineering and supports the idea of common ancestry.