Question

What does it mean when scientists say that living organisms share a universal genetic code?

Answer 1

the universal genetic code provides the protein with its respective codon(or triplet).
scientists say that living organisms shares a universal genetic code because living organisms synthesize protein and that the universal genetic cod provides the possibilities of proteins available.

Answer 2

They're referring to the fact that all living organisms use the same four elements (called bases) to make up their DNA, known as the A, T, G and C bases. These bases are what make up genes, hence the saying that all organisms share the same genetic code; all genes in every organism are simply made up of different combinations of these 4 bases. I.e. a hippo uses the same bases as a bacteria as a potplant. This lead to a few interesting things:
- life (most likely) has one common ancestor
- you can take genes from e.g. a plant and stick them in an animal, and they can function