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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2:09 minutes

Problem 13c

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

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of wobble: Wobble refers to the flexibility in base pairing at the third position of the codon, allowing some tRNAs to pair with multiple codons. This reduces the number of tRNAs required to recognize all codons for a given amino acid.

Identify the codons for isoleucine: Isoleucine is encoded by three codons in the genetic code: AUU, AUC, and AUA.

Analyze the wobble rules: The third position of the codon can pair with multiple bases due to wobble. For example, the anticodon of a tRNA may have inosine (I), which can pair with U, C, or A in the third position of the codon.

Determine the minimal number of tRNAs: Based on wobble pairing, a single tRNA with an anticodon containing inosine at the wobble position can recognize AUU, AUC, and AUA. However, some organisms may use more than one tRNA for isoleucine depending on their genetic makeup.

Conclude the reasoning: The minimal number of tRNA molecules necessary to recognize the codons for isoleucine is one, assuming wobble pairing is utilized effectively.

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Key Concepts

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

tRNA and Codons

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins. Each tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid and has an anticodon that pairs with a corresponding mRNA codon. Understanding the relationship between tRNA and codons is essential for determining how many tRNA molecules are needed to recognize various amino acids.

Wobble Hypothesis

The wobble hypothesis explains how the third position of a codon can tolerate certain mismatches between the codon and anticodon. This flexibility allows a single tRNA to pair with multiple codons that code for the same amino acid, reducing the total number of tRNA molecules required for protein synthesis. Recognizing this concept is crucial for answering questions about the minimal number of tRNAs needed.

Amino Acid Codons

Amino acids are encoded by specific sequences of three nucleotides known as codons. For isoleucine, there are three codons (AUU, AUC, AUA) that specify this amino acid. Understanding the codons associated with isoleucine is necessary to determine how many distinct tRNA molecules are required to recognize all codons for this amino acid, especially considering the wobble effect.

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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?

Lysine

Arginine

Leucine