Hidden within the genetic code lies the "triplet code," a series of three ... When a ribosome reaches a stop codon, translation stops, and the polypeptide is released.

Protein synthesis begins with a start codon and ends with a stop codon. The most common start codon is AUG, which also codes for the amino acid methionine. The three stop codons are UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Although each codon is specific for only one amino acid (or one stop signal), the genetic code is described as degenerate, or redundant, because a single amino acid may be coded for by more than ...