wobble hypothesis A theory proposed to explain the partial degeneracy of the genetic code in that some t-RNA molecules can recognize more than one codon. It is proposed that the first 2 bases in the codon and anticodon will form complementary pairs in the normal antiparallel fashion. However, a degree of steric freedom or ‘wobble’ is allowed in the base pairing at the third position. Thus, for serine, 6 m-RNA codons may be paired with only 3 t-RNA anticodons.

wobble hypothesis A theory to explain the partial degeneracy of the genetic code due to the fact that some t-RNA molecules can recognize more than one codon. The theory proposes that the first two bases in the codon and anticodon will form complementary pairs in the normal antiparallel fashion. However, a degree of steric freedom or ‘wobble’ is allowed in the base-pairing at the third position. Thus, for serine, six m-RNA codons may be paired with only three t-RNA anticodons.