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

Translation

Genetics

11. Translation

Translation

Previous problemNext problem

1:28 minutes

Problem 7

Textbook Question

Assuming that each nucleotide in an mRNA is 0.34 nm long, how many triplet codes can simultaneously occupy the space in a ribosome that is 20 nm in diameter?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the problem: We need to find how many triplet codons (each consisting of 3 nucleotides) can fit within the length of the ribosome, which is given as 20 nm in diameter.

Calculate the total number of nucleotides that can fit in the 20 nm space by dividing the ribosome diameter by the length of one nucleotide:

\frac{20}{0.34}

Determine how many triplet codons fit by dividing the total number of nucleotides by 3, since each codon consists of 3 nucleotides:

\frac{\frac{20}{0.34}}{3}

Interpret the result as the number of triplet codes that can simultaneously occupy the ribosome space.

Remember that the ribosome diameter is a linear measurement, so this calculation assumes the codons are arranged linearly along the length of the ribosome.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

mRNA Structure and Nucleotide Length

mRNA is a single-stranded molecule composed of nucleotides, each approximately 0.34 nm in length. Understanding this length is essential to calculate how many nucleotides can fit within a given physical space, such as the ribosome.

Triplet Codon Concept

A triplet codon consists of three consecutive nucleotides on mRNA that encode a specific amino acid during protein synthesis. Knowing that codons are groups of three nucleotides helps determine how many codons fit into a segment of mRNA.

Ribosome Size and mRNA Accommodation

The ribosome is a molecular machine where translation occurs, with a defined physical size (20 nm diameter here). Understanding the ribosome's spatial constraints allows calculation of how many codons can simultaneously occupy its mRNA-binding site.

Watch next

Master Translation initiation with a bite sized video explanation from Kylia

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Outline the events that occur during initiation of translation in E. coli.

530

views

Textbook Question

A portion of a DNA template strand has the base sequence

5′-...ACGCGATGCGTGATGTATAGAGCT...-3′

Assume the mRNA is written in the correct reading frame. Determine the amino acid sequence encoded by this fragment. Identify the N- and C-terminal directions of the polypeptide.

629

views

Textbook Question

During translation, what molecule bears the codon? the anticodon?

988

views

Textbook Question

The α chain of eukaryotic hemoglobin is composed of 141 amino acids. What is the minimum number of nucleotides in an mRNA coding for this polypeptide chain?

699

views

Textbook Question

Describe the central dogma of molecular genetics and how it serves as the basis of modern genetics.

631

views

Textbook Question

When a codon in an mRNA with the sequence 5'-UAA-3' enters the A site of a ribosome, it is not recognized by a tRNA with a complementary anticodon. Why not? What recognizes it instead?

1102

views

Textbook Question

The three major forms of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA) interact during translation.

Compared to the average stability of mRNA in E. coli, is mRNA in a typical human cell more stable or less stable? Why?

749

views

Textbook Question

The three major forms of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA) interact during translation.

Which form of RNA is least stable in eukaryotes? Why is this form least stable?

790

views