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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Problem 21c

Textbook Question

In an experiment to decipher the genetic code, a poly-AC mRNA (ACACACAC...) is synthesized. What pattern of amino acids would appear if this sequence were to be translated by a mechanism that reads the genetic code as
A triplet without overlaps?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of the poly-AC mRNA sequence: The sequence alternates between adenine (A) and cytosine (C), forming a repeating pattern of ACACACAC...

Recognize that translation occurs in triplets (codons). Divide the sequence into consecutive groups of three nucleotides: For example, the first few codons would be ACA, CAC, ACA, and so on.

Consult the genetic code table to determine the amino acid specified by each codon. For example, ACA codes for threonine (Thr), and CAC codes for histidine (His).

Identify the repeating pattern of codons and their corresponding amino acids. Since the sequence alternates between ACA and CAC, the resulting amino acid sequence will alternate between threonine and histidine.

Conclude that the translation of the poly-AC mRNA sequence will produce a polypeptide with a repeating pattern of amino acids: threonine (Thr) and histidine (His).

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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 a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. It consists of codons, which are groups of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis.

mRNA Translation

mRNA translation is the process by which ribosomes read the sequence of an mRNA molecule to synthesize a corresponding polypeptide chain. This process involves the decoding of codons in the mRNA, where each triplet of nucleotides specifies a particular amino acid, leading to the formation of a protein.

Triplet Codon Reading

Triplet codon reading refers to the mechanism by which the ribosome interprets the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides, or codons, without overlapping. This means that each codon is read independently, allowing for a clear and systematic translation of the genetic information into a sequence of amino acids.

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Textbook Question

Most proteins have more leucine than histidine residues, but more histidine than tryptophan residues. Correlate the number of codons for these three amino acids with this information.

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Textbook Question

In an experiment to decipher the genetic code, a poly-AC mRNA (ACACACAC...) is synthesized. What pattern of amino acids would appear if this sequence were to be translated by a mechanism that reads the genetic code as

A quadruplet with overlaps?

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Textbook Question

A quadruplet without overlaps?

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Textbook Question

A triplet with overlaps?

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Textbook Question

A doublet with overlaps?

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Textbook Question

A doublet without overlaps?

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Textbook Question

The amino acid sequence of a portion of a polypeptide is

N...Cys-Pro-Ala-Met-Gly-His-Lys...C

Give the DNA template and coding strand sequences corresponding to the mRNA. Use the N, Pu, and Py symbols as placeholders.

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Textbook Question

The amino acid sequence of a portion of a polypeptide is

N...Cys-Pro-Ala-Met-Gly-His-Lys...C

What is the mRNA sequence encoding this polypeptide fragment? Use N to represent any nucleotide, Pu to represent a purine, and Py to represent a pyrimidine. Label the 5′ and 3′ ends of the mRNA.

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In an experiment to decipher the genetic code, a poly-AC mRNA (ACACACAC...) is synthesized. What pattern of amino acids would appear if this sequence were to be translated by a mechanism that reads the genetic code asA triplet without overlaps?

Key Concepts

Genetic Code

mRNA Translation

Triplet Codon Reading

Watch next

In an experiment to decipher the genetic code, a poly-AC mRNA (ACACACAC...) is synthesized. What pattern of amino acids would appear if this sequence were to be translated by a mechanism that reads the genetic code as
A triplet without overlaps?