The human genetic code is determined by groups of how many nucleotides?

The human genetic code is fundamentally determined by groups of three nucleotides, known as codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during the process of protein synthesis. The sequence of codons in messenger RNA (mRNA) is read by the ribosome to assemble amino acids in the correct order, ultimately forming proteins based on the genetic instructions encoded in DNA.

There are four possible nucleotides in RNA (adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine), but it is the triplet grouping that allows for the synthesis of the 20 different amino acids. This arrangement of three nucleotides per codon is a key fundamental concept in molecular biology, relating to how genetic information is translated into functional proteins. This structured code, characterized by triplets, contributes to the versatility and complexity of biological systems.