Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

The Genetic Code

GOB Chemistry

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

The Genetic Code

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0:47 minutes

Problem 16a

Textbook Question

List possible codon sequences for the following amino acids.
a. Val

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides (triplet) in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid. The genetic code is universal and redundant, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Recall that the amino acid Valine (Val) is encoded by the following codons: GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG. These codons are derived from the genetic code table.

Explain that each codon consists of three RNA nucleotides: G (guanine), U (uracil), A (adenine), and C (cytosine). The first position is always G, the second position is always U, and the third position can vary (U, C, A, or G).

List the possible codon sequences for Valine: GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG. These variations in the third position demonstrate the redundancy of the genetic code.

Conclude by emphasizing that this redundancy helps protect against mutations, as changes in the third nucleotide often do not alter the amino acid being coded for.

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Key Concepts

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

Codons

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids during protein synthesis. Each codon specifies one amino acid, and the genetic code is universal across most organisms. Understanding codons is essential for translating genetic information into functional proteins.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and there are 20 standard amino acids that combine in various sequences to form proteins. Each amino acid is encoded by one or more codons, and the specific sequence of amino acids determines a protein's structure and function. Valine (Val) is one of these amino acids, and its codons must be identified to understand its role in protein synthesis.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins. It consists of 64 codons that correspond to 20 amino acids, with some amino acids being represented by multiple codons. Familiarity with the genetic code is crucial for determining the possible codon sequences for any given amino acid, including Valine.