Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The genetic code is the set of rules used by living cells to translate genetic information from mRNA into amino acid sequences.
This code is based on triplet nucleotides (codons) that specify individual amino acids during protein synthesis.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each statement:
Statement (A) is correct: The translation machinery reads codons directly from messenger RNA (mRNA).
mRNA is composed of ribonucleotides containing ribose sugar and the bases Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, and Cytosine.
Statement (B) is incorrect: Deoxyribonucleotides containing deoxyribose sugar compose DNA, which is not the template directly read during translation.
Statement (C) is correct: The genetic code is nearly universal, meaning almost all viruses, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes use the same codon-to-amino acid translation dictionary.
Statement (D) is correct: The genetic code is commaless and non-overlapping.
Once translation begins, the ribosome reads the codons sequentially, three nucleotides at a time, without gaps or pauses until it encounters a stop codon.
Thus, statements (A), (C), and (D) are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (A).