In the mitochondrial DNA, UGA codes for

Options

A. Chain termination
B. Chain initiation
C. Tryptophan
D. Tyrosine

Answer

To answer the question "In the mitochondrial DNA, UGA codes for," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Codon UGA**:
- UGA is one of the codons in the genetic code. In general, codons are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids or signals during protein synthesis.

2. **Identify the Role of UGA in Most Organisms**:
- In most organisms, UGA is known as a stop codon. This means it signals the termination of protein synthesis.

3. **Focus on Mitochondrial DNA**:
- The question specifically refers to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). It's important to note that mitochondrial codons can differ from those in nuclear DNA.

4. **Examine the Specific Case of Vertebrate Mitochondria**:
- In vertebrate mitochondria, UGA does not function as a stop codon. Instead, it has a unique role.

5. **Conclusion**:
- In vertebrate mitochondrial DNA, UGA codes for the amino acid tryptophan, rather than signaling the end of protein synthesis.

### Final Answer:
In the mitochondrial DNA, UGA codes for tryptophan.