Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

11. Translation

The Genetic Code

Genetics

11. Translation

The Genetic Code

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2:31 minutes

Problem 13d

Textbook Question

Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?
Lysine

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of wobble: The wobble hypothesis explains that the third base of a codon (on mRNA) and the first base of the anticodon (on tRNA) can form non-standard base pairing, allowing a single tRNA to recognize multiple codons.

Identify the codons for lysine: Lysine is encoded by two codons, AAA and AAG, according to the genetic code.

Determine the wobble base pairing rules: The third position of the codon (wobble position) allows for flexibility in pairing. For example, the anticodon base 'U' can pair with both 'A' and 'G' in the wobble position.

Analyze the anticodon requirements: A single tRNA with an anticodon complementary to UUU (which pairs with AAA and AAG) can recognize both codons for lysine due to wobble pairing.

Conclude the minimal number of tRNAs: Based on the wobble hypothesis, only one tRNA molecule is necessary to recognize both codons for lysine.

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Key Concepts

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

Wobble Hypothesis

The wobble hypothesis explains how the third position of a codon can tolerate mismatches between the codon in mRNA and the corresponding anticodon in tRNA. This flexibility allows a single tRNA to pair with multiple codons that code for the same amino acid, thereby reducing the total number of tRNA molecules required for protein synthesis.

tRNA and Codons

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules are responsible for bringing amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Each tRNA has an anticodon that pairs with a specific codon on the mRNA. Understanding the relationship between tRNA and codons is crucial for determining how many tRNA molecules are needed to recognize all codons for a particular amino acid.

Amino Acid Codons

Amino acids are encoded by specific sequences of three nucleotides known as codons. For lysine, there are two codons: AAA and AAG. Recognizing that multiple codons can correspond to the same amino acid is essential for calculating the minimal number of tRNA molecules required to translate the genetic code accurately.

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Textbook Question

In the triplet binding technique, radioactivity remains on the filter when the amino acid corresponding to the codon is labeled. Explain the rationale for this technique.

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Textbook Question

What is the role of codons UAA, UGA, and UAG in translation? What events occur when one of these codons appears at the A site of the ribosome?

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Textbook Question

How many different proteins, each with a unique amino acid sequence, can be constructed that have a length of five amino acids?

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Textbook Question

Predict the amino acid sequence produced during translation by the following short hypothetical mRNA sequences (note that the second sequence was formed from the first by a deletion of only one nucleotide):

Sequence 1: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAUAGUUGA-3'

Sequence 2: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAAGUUGA-3'

What type of mutation gave rise to sequence 2?

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Textbook Question

Third-base wobble allows some tRNAs to recognize more than one mRNA codon. Based on this chapter's discussion of wobble, what is the minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the following amino acids?

Isoleucine

Arginine

Leucine