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

Translation: Protein Synthesis

GOB Chemistry

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Translation: Protein Synthesis

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2:35 minutes

Problem 87

Textbook Question

A protein contains 35 amino acids. How many nucleotides would be found in the mRNA code for this protein?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the relationship between amino acids and nucleotides: Each amino acid in a protein is encoded by a codon in mRNA, and each codon consists of three nucleotides.

Determine the number of codons required for the protein: Since the protein contains 35 amino acids, it will require 35 codons in the mRNA sequence.

Calculate the total number of nucleotides: Multiply the number of codons (35) by the number of nucleotides per codon (3). This gives the total number of nucleotides required to encode the protein.

Consider additional nucleotides: mRNA sequences often include a start codon (AUG) and a stop codon (e.g., UAA, UAG, or UGA). These codons are part of the mRNA but do not encode amino acids. Add these codons to the total nucleotide count if specified.

Verify the calculation and ensure the logic aligns with the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

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Key Concepts

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

Amino Acids and Proteins

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, with each protein being composed of a specific sequence of amino acids. The sequence determines the protein's structure and function. In this case, the protein consists of 35 amino acids, which is crucial for calculating the corresponding mRNA sequence.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in mRNA is translated into proteins. Each amino acid is specified by a sequence of three nucleotides, known as a codon. Understanding this relationship is essential for determining how many nucleotides are needed to code for a given number of amino acids.

mRNA Synthesis

mRNA (messenger RNA) is synthesized from DNA during the process of transcription. The mRNA serves as a template for protein synthesis during translation. For every amino acid in a protein, three nucleotides in the mRNA are required, which is key to calculating the total number of nucleotides needed for the 35 amino acids in the protein.

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Provide the three-letter amino acid sequence expected from each of the following mRNA segments:

b. 5'UUU|CCC|UUU|CCC3'

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Consider the following portion of mRNA produced by the normal order of DNA nucleotides:

5'CUU|AAA|CGA|GUU3'

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What is the one-letter amino acid sequence formed from the following mRNA that codes for a pentapeptide that is an endorphin called Met-enkephalin?

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