[Campbell Biology P.56] The text draws an analogy: "The way DNA encodes information is anal... | Practice Question

The text draws an analogy: "The way DNA encodes information is analogous to how we arrange the letters of the alphabet into words and phrases with specific meanings. The word rat, for example, evokes a rodent; the words tar and art, which contain the same letters, mean very different things." What is the main point illustrated by this analogy regarding genetic information?

  • A: The specific order or sequence of nucleotides in DNA is crucial for the genetic information they carry.
  • B: DNA uses a four-letter alphabet, similar to human languages.
  • C: Different organisms use different sets of nucleotides to store their genetic information.
  • D: The length of a DNA sequence determines the complexity of the protein it encodes.
  • E: DNA stores information using combinations of letters, similar to how languages create phrases.

Explanation

The analogy with 'rat, tar, art' specifically emphasizes that the order or sequence of the 'letters' nucleotides is what determines the specific meaning genetic information . While option B is true, it doesn't capture the essence of the 'rat, tar, art' example, which is about the significance of arrangement.