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Multiple Choice
With four distinct nucleotides, how many different combinations are possible in a sequence of six nucleotides?
A
4096
B
24
C
4^6
D
6^4
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the number of possible nucleotides for each position in the sequence. Since there are four distinct nucleotides (A, T, C, G), each position can be one of 4 options.
Determine the length of the sequence, which is 6 nucleotides long.
Use the rule of product (multiplication principle) to find the total number of possible sequences. Since each position is independent, multiply the number of options for each position together.
Express this mathematically as $4^6$, where 4 is the number of nucleotide options and 6 is the sequence length.
Understand that this calculation gives the total number of different combinations possible in a sequence of six nucleotides.