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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1:01 minutes

Problem 21d

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 with 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... This sequence will be read in triplets during translation.

Determine the possible overlapping triplets: Since the sequence is read with overlaps, the first triplet is ACA, the second triplet is CAC, the third triplet is ACA again, and so on. This overlapping mechanism ensures that each nucleotide is part of multiple codons.

Consult the genetic code table: Use the standard genetic code table to identify the amino acids corresponding to each triplet. For example, ACA codes for threonine (Thr), and CAC codes for histidine (His).

Predict the pattern of amino acids: Based on the alternating triplets ACA and CAC, the resulting amino acid sequence will alternate between threonine (Thr) and histidine (His).

Summarize the repeating pattern: The translation of the poly-AC mRNA sequence with overlapping triplets will produce a repeating pattern of amino acids: Thr-His-Thr-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 sequences of nucleotides in mRNA are translated into amino acids. It consists of codons, which are groups of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis. Understanding the genetic code is essential for predicting the amino acid sequence from an mRNA strand.

Overlapping Codons

In a translation mechanism that reads overlapping codons, the reading frame shifts after each amino acid is added, allowing for the same nucleotide sequence to code for multiple amino acids. This means that the first codon overlaps with the second, and so on, creating a different pattern of amino acids than in non-overlapping translation. This concept is crucial for analyzing how the poly-AC mRNA would be translated.

Translation Process

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template. During translation, the ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in codons and assembles the corresponding amino acids into a polypeptide chain. Understanding the mechanics of translation, including the role of tRNA and ribosomes, is vital for determining the resulting amino acid sequence from the given mRNA.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Shown here is a hypothetical viral mRNA sequence:

5'-AUGCAUACCUAUGAGACCCUUGGA-3'

Assuming that it could arise from overlapping genes, how many different polypeptide sequences can be produced? What are the sequences?

460

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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.

517

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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?

504

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Textbook Question

A quadruplet without overlaps?

476

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Textbook Question

A triplet without overlaps?

488

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Textbook Question