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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1:26 minutes

Problem 13c

Textbook Question

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be
5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'
If the molecule were a tRNA fragment containing a CGA anticodon, what would the corresponding codon be?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of codons and anticodons. Codons are sequences of three nucleotides on mRNA that specify amino acids during translation. Anticodons are complementary sequences of three nucleotides on tRNA that pair with codons during translation.

Step 2: Identify the anticodon provided in the problem. The anticodon is CGA, which is part of the tRNA molecule.

Step 3: Determine the complementary sequence to the anticodon. The codon on the mRNA will be complementary to the anticodon. Use base pairing rules: Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G), Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C), and Adenine (A) pairs with Uracil (U) in RNA.

Step 4: Apply the base pairing rules to the anticodon CGA. The complementary codon sequence on the mRNA will be GCU.

Step 5: Verify the orientation of the codon. Codons are always written in the 5' to 3' direction, so the final codon sequence is 5'-GCU-3'.

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Key Concepts

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

tRNA and Anticodon-Codon Pairing

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein. Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon, a set of three nucleotides that pairs with a complementary codon on the mRNA. In this case, the CGA anticodon would pair with the corresponding codon on the mRNA, which is determined by the base pairing rules (A-U and C-G).

Codon and Genetic Code

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. The genetic code is universal and consists of 64 codons that correspond to 20 amino acids. Understanding how codons are read is essential for translating genetic information into functional proteins.

Hyperchromic Shift and RNA Secondary Structure

A hyperchromic shift refers to an increase in absorbance of UV light by nucleic acids, indicating changes in their structure, often due to denaturation or alterations in secondary structure. In RNA, secondary structures such as hairpins and loops can form, influencing its function and interaction with other molecules. Recognizing these structural features is important for understanding RNA behavior in biological processes.

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Related Practice

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

Arginine

Leucine

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

If the molecule were an internal part of a message, what amino acid sequence would result from it following translation?

440

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Textbook Question

The genetic code contains 61 codons to specify the 20 common amino acids. Many organisms carry fewer than 61 different tRNA genes in their genomes. These genomes take advantage of isoaccepting tRNAs and the rules governing third-base wobble to encode fewer than 61 tRNA genes. Use these rules to calculate the minimal number of tRNA genes required to specify all 20 of the common amino acids.

571

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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?

459

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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.

516

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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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