Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
mRNA and DNA Complementarity
mRNA (messenger RNA) is synthesized from a DNA template during transcription and carries the genetic information needed for protein synthesis. The sequence of mRNA is complementary to the DNA template strand, meaning that adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U) in RNA, while cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Understanding this complementarity is essential for deducing the correct DNA sequence from the given mRNA.
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Transcription: mRNA Synthesis Concept 1
Peptide Sequence and Codons
A peptide sequence, like the one provided for α-MSH, is composed of amino acids that are encoded by specific codons in mRNA. Each codon consists of three nucleotides, and knowing the peptide sequence allows us to determine the corresponding mRNA sequence, which can then be used to infer the DNA template. This relationship between amino acids, codons, and nucleotides is fundamental in molecular biology.
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Transcription Process
Transcription is the biological process where the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into mRNA. This process involves the enzyme RNA polymerase, which binds to the DNA and synthesizes the mRNA strand by following the base-pairing rules. Understanding transcription is crucial for answering the question, as it provides the context for how the mRNA sequence is derived from the DNA template.
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Transcription: mRNA Synthesis Concept 1