Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

15. Gene Expression

Genetic Code

General Biology

15. Gene Expression

Genetic Code

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2:02 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

Which of the following describes the experimental strategy that was used to decipher the genetic code?
a. Comparing the amino acid sequences of proteins with the base sequence of their genes
b. Analyzing the sequence of RNAs produced from known DNA sequences
c. Analyzing mutants that changed the code
d. Examining the polypeptides produced when RNAs with particular sequences were translated

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the question: The problem is asking about the experimental strategy used to decipher the genetic code, which refers to the process of determining how sequences of nucleotides in RNA correspond to specific amino acids in proteins.

Recall the historical context: The genetic code was deciphered through experiments that involved synthesizing RNA molecules with known sequences and observing the resulting polypeptides (chains of amino acids) produced during translation.

Eliminate incorrect options: a) Comparing amino acid sequences with gene sequences was not the primary method used to decipher the genetic code. b) Analyzing RNA sequences from DNA does not directly reveal the correspondence between codons and amino acids. c) Studying mutants can provide insights into gene function but was not the main strategy for decoding the genetic code.

Focus on the correct approach: d) The correct strategy involved creating synthetic RNAs with specific sequences and translating them in a controlled environment to observe the resulting polypeptides. This allowed researchers to match RNA codons to their corresponding amino acids.

Conclude: The experimental strategy described in option d aligns with the historical experiments conducted by scientists like Nirenberg and Khorana, who used synthetic RNAs to systematically decode the genetic code.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA) is translated into proteins. It consists of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Understanding the genetic code is essential for deciphering how genes dictate the synthesis of proteins, which are crucial for cellular functions.

Transcription and Translation

Transcription is the process by which the information in a DNA sequence is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), while translation is the subsequent process where ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the sequence of the mRNA. These two processes are fundamental to gene expression and are key to understanding how genetic information is converted into functional products.

Mutagenesis

Mutagenesis refers to the process of inducing changes or mutations in the DNA sequence, which can lead to alterations in the genetic code. Analyzing mutants helps researchers understand the relationship between specific genetic sequences and their corresponding phenotypes, providing insights into how the genetic code operates and how it can be deciphered through experimental strategies.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following is not true of a codon?

a. It may code for the same amino acid as another codon.

b. It never codes for more than one amino acid.

c. It extends from one end of a tRNA molecule.

d. It is the basic unit of the genetic code.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following correctly ranks the structures in order of size, from largest to smallest?

a. Gene–Chromosome–Nucleotide–Codon

b. Chromosome–Gene–Codon–Nucleotide

c. Nucleotide–Chromosome–Gene–Codon

d. Chromosome–Nucleotide–Gene–Codon

Using the genetic code (Table 10.1), list the order of amino acids encoded by the following mRNA nucleotides: CAACGCAUUUUG.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following describes the experimental strategy that was used to decipher the genetic code?a. comparing the amino acid sequences of proteins with the base sequence of their genesb. analyzing the sequence of RNAs produced from known DNA sequencesc. analyzing mutants that changed the coded. examining the polypeptides produced when RNAs with particular sequences were translated

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Textbook Question

For each of these statements about the genetic code, select True or False.a. T/F Wobble pairing accounts for the redundancy of the genetic code.b. T/F There are 64 different tRNAs that read the 64 possible codons.c. T/F All possible codons are used, but not all codons specify an amino acid.d. T/F Some codons are recognized by proteins, not by tRNAs.

A minimal genetic code requires only 21 codons—one for each amino acid, and one for a stop signal. Given this, what advantage might be offered by having a code with 64 codons?

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Textbook Question

For each of these statements about the genetic code, select True or False.

a. T/F Wobble pairing accounts for the redundancy of the genetic code.

b. T/F There are 64 different tRNAs that read the 64 possible codons.

c. T/F All possible codons are used, but not all codons specify an amino acid.

d. T/F Some codons are recognized by proteins, not by tRNAs.

1036

views

Textbook Question

A minimal genetic code requires only 21 codons—one for each amino acid, and one for a stop signal. Given this, what advantage might be offered by having a code with 64 codons?

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