Almost all organisms use this ________, suggesting an early evolutionary origin.

Almost all organisms use this ________, suggesting an early evolutionary origin.

• A. metabolic pathway
• B. transcription
• C. genetic code
• D. replication

Answer: (C)

The genetic code is the set of rules that translates the instructions in mRNA into the amino acids that build proteins. This code is used by almost all organisms, with only a few tiny, well-documented exceptions in some mitochondria and certain single-celled life. That near-universal usage points to a very ancient origin, inherited from a common ancestor before life diversified. Because changing the genetic code would disrupt the vast majority of proteins, it has remained highly conserved for billions of years, making it the strongest indicator of an early evolutionary origin.

The genetic code is the set of rules that translates the instructions in mRNA into the amino acids that build proteins. This code is used by almost all organisms, with only a few tiny, well-documented exceptions in some mitochondria and certain single-celled life. That near-universal usage points to a very ancient origin, inherited from a common ancestor before life diversified. Because changing the genetic code would disrupt the vast majority of proteins, it has remained highly conserved for billions of years, making it the strongest indicator of an early evolutionary origin.