The salient features of genetic code are :

(A) The code is palindromic

(B) UGA act as initiator codon

(C) The code is unambiguous and specific

(D) The code is nearly universal

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Question

The salient features of genetic code are :

(A) The code is palindromic

(B) UGA act as initiator codon

(C) The code is unambiguous and specific

(D) The code is nearly universal

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Accepted Answer

D. 1. **Check statement A.**

Given that the genetic code reads the same combinations only in one specific direction and does not read identically backward, the code is **not palindromic**.

Hence, statement **A is incorrect**.

2. **Check statement B.**

Since **UGA** is actually one of the three **stop codons** that signal the end of translation, it does not act as an initiator codon.

Hence, statement **B is incorrect**.

3. **Check statement C.**

Given that each codon codes for only **one specific amino acid** and does not code for multiple different amino acids, the genetic code is indeed **unambiguous and specific**.

Hence, statement **C is correct**.

4. **Check statement D.**

Since the same codon specifies the same amino acid across almost all organisms, from bacteria to humans, the code is described as **nearly universal**.

Hence, statement **D is correct**.

**Conclusion:** The correct statements are C and D, so the answer is **D**.