What characteristic of the wobble hypothesis allows for genetic variation?

Prepare for the ASCP Molecular Biology (MB) Technologist Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to succeed!

The characteristic of the wobble hypothesis that allows for genetic variation is the flexibility in the pairing of the third nucleotide of a codon. The wobble hypothesis explains how the third base of a tRNA anticodon can undergo non-standard pairing with the corresponding base of mRNA codons. This flexibility means that one tRNA molecule can bind to more than one codon that codes for the same amino acid.

As a result, this flexibility contributes to a more tolerant and diverse genetic code, enabling multiple codons to specify the same amino acid. This redundancy in the genetic code is crucial for evolution, as it helps to mitigate the potential effects of mutations. If a mutation occurs that changes a base in the coding sequence, the flexibility at the third position may prevent a deleterious effect from occurring, particularly if the mutated codon still translates to the same amino acid due to this wobble pairing.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the key aspect that enables genetic variation through protein synthesis. For example, inability to pair with multiple codons, strict adherence to correct codon pairing, and increased replication fidelity all imply a rigidity or lack of variation in genetic coding, which is contrary to the concept of how the wobble hypothesis functions in promoting

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