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

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2:13 minutes

Problem 39l

Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

Does the diagram depict molecular activity in a bacterium or a eukaryote? Explain the reasoning for your answer.

Verified step by step guidance

Examine the diagram carefully. The image depicts a process involving DNA (labeled A), RNA (labeled C), and ribosomes (labeled D, E, F) synthesizing polypeptides (labeled G). This suggests the process of transcription and translation.

Identify the key features of the diagram. The RNA strand (C) is being synthesized from the DNA template (A) by the enzyme RNA polymerase (labeled B). Ribosomes (D, E, F) are attached to the RNA strand, actively translating it into polypeptides (G).

Consider the spatial arrangement of transcription and translation. In bacteria, transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm because there is no nuclear membrane separating these processes. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus, and translation occurs in the cytoplasm after RNA processing.

Note the absence of RNA processing steps such as splicing, capping, or polyadenylation in the diagram. These steps are characteristic of eukaryotic cells but are absent in bacterial cells.

Conclude based on the evidence. The simultaneous transcription and translation depicted in the diagram, along with the absence of RNA processing, strongly suggests that the molecular activity is occurring in a bacterium rather than a eukaryote.

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Key Concepts

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

Translation Process

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using messenger RNA (mRNA) as a template. During translation, ribosomes read the sequence of codons in mRNA and assemble the corresponding amino acids into a polypeptide chain. This process is crucial for gene expression and occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, although the mechanisms and locations differ.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, lack a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and various organelles. In prokaryotes, translation occurs in the cytoplasm simultaneously with transcription, whereas in eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm. This distinction is essential for determining the cellular context depicted in the diagram.

Ribosomes and Their Structure

Ribosomes are complex molecular machines made of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins that facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins. They consist of two subunits (large and small) that come together during translation. The presence and structure of ribosomes can indicate whether the diagram represents a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, as eukaryotic ribosomes are larger and more complex than those found in prokaryotes.

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Textbook Question

The flow of genetic information from DNA to protein is mediated by messenger RNA. If you introduce short DNA strands (called antisense oligonucleotides) that are complementary to mRNAs, hydrogen bonding may occur and 'label' the DNA/RNA hybrid for ribonuclease-H degradation of the RNA. One study [Lloyd et al. (2001). Nucl. Acids Res. 29:3664–3673] compared the effect of different-length antisense oligonucleotides upon ribonuclease-H–mediated degradation of tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) mRNA. TNFα exhibits antitumor and pro-inflammatory activities. The following graph indicates the efficacy of various-sized antisense oligonucleotides in causing ribonuclease-H cleavage. Describe how antisense oligonucleotides interrupt the flow of genetic information in a cell.

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Textbook Question

In terms of the polycistronic composition of mRNAs and the presence or absence of Shine–Dalgarno sequences, compare and contrast bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic mRNAs.

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Textbook Question

Organisms of all three domains of life usually use the mRNA codon AUG as the start codon.

Despite AUG being the most common start codon sequence, very few proteins have methionine as the first amino acid. Why is this the case?

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Textbook Question

Organisms of all three domains of life usually use the mRNA codon AUG as the start codon.

Do organisms of the three domains use the same amino acid as the initial amino acid in translation? Identify similarities and differences.

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