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Multiple Choice
What tool or resource is useful for identifying previously unknown protein-coding genes in a genomic DNA sequence?
A
DNA microarrays
B
Plasmids
C
Protein structure database
D
All of the listed responses are correct.
E
Software that searches for translational start and stop signals
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the nature of genomic DNA sequences, which contain both coding and non-coding regions. Coding regions are those that can be translated into proteins.
Recognize that identifying protein-coding genes involves finding specific sequences that signal the start and stop of translation. These are known as start codons (e.g., AUG in mRNA) and stop codons (e.g., UAA, UAG, UGA in mRNA).
Software tools designed for gene prediction analyze DNA sequences to locate these start and stop signals. They use algorithms to scan the sequence for patterns that match known codon sequences.
These tools often incorporate additional features, such as identifying open reading frames (ORFs), which are continuous stretches of nucleotides that begin with a start codon and end with a stop codon, indicating potential protein-coding regions.
Understand that while other resources like DNA microarrays, plasmids, and protein structure databases are valuable in genomics and proteomics, they do not directly identify unknown protein-coding genes in a DNA sequence. The software specifically designed for this purpose is the most effective tool.