What are sequences of three consecutive bases in DNA or RNA that specify an amino acid called?

The correct answer is that sequences of three consecutive bases in DNA or RNA that specify an amino acid are called codons. Codons serve as the fundamental units of the genetic code, where each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid during protein synthesis. In messenger RNA (mRNA), codons guide the order in which amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain, guiding the translation process within ribosomes.

Triplet code is a general term that refers to the concept that three nucleotides encode one amino acid, but the specific terminology used in molecular biology to denote the language of mRNA is codon. Anticodons are the corresponding three-base sequences located on tRNA molecules that pair with codons during translation, ensuring that the correct amino acid is incorporated into the polypeptide chain. The term "amino acid sequence" refers to the linear arrangement of amino acids in a protein, which is determined by the series of codons in the mRNA, but does not specifically describe the three-base sequences themselves.

In summary, codons are specifically defined sequences of three bases in the nucleic acid that directly relate to the synthesis of proteins, highlighting their crucial role in the genetic code.