What amino acid is encoded by the codons AAA and AAG?

The amino acid encoded by the codons AAA and AAG is lysine. This is due to the genetic code, where each sequence of three nucleotides (a codon) corresponds to a specific amino acid during the process of protein synthesis. Both AAA and AAG specifically code for lysine in the standard genetic code.

Understanding the genetic code is crucial for interpreting how information is translated from nucleic acids to proteins, a fundamental concept in molecular biology. Lysine is a basic amino acid with a positively charged side chain, playing essential roles in protein structure and function, including involvement in enzymatic activities and protein interactions.

In contrast, arginine is encoded by different codons, and neither asparagine nor leucine corresponds to the codons in question. This illustrates the specificity of the genetic code, where particular codons only represent designated amino acids.