Question

What does it mean that organisms have a nearly universal genetic code?

Answer 1

Answer:

It means the way genes are expressed is the same in most organisms.

Explanation:

All living organisms use the same DNA or RNA as their genetic material. The manner in which the information in these genes are encoded or expressed is known as the GENETIC CODE. Genetic code comprises of all the codons that specifies amino acids in all living organisms. Only 20 amino acids in different sequential pattern makes up all proteins.

Nearly all living organisms use the same genetic code, as a codon does not specify a different amino acid in another organism. It is universal in all organisms that AUG codon specifies Methionine. Only slight differences to this pattern of genetic expression has been discovered, hence, the genetic code is said to be NEARLY UNIVERSAL.