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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1:12 minutes

Problem 116

Textbook Question

Endorphins are polypeptides that reduce pain. What is the amino acid order for the endorphin methionine enkephalin (met-enkephalin), which has the following mRNA?
AUG UAC GGU GGA UUU AUG UAA

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the problem. The mRNA sequence provided represents the codons that will be translated into a sequence of amino acids. Each codon (group of three nucleotides) corresponds to a specific amino acid based on the genetic code.

Step 2: Identify the start codon. The sequence begins with AUG, which is the start codon and codes for the amino acid methionine (Met). This indicates the beginning of the polypeptide chain.

Step 3: Translate each codon into its corresponding amino acid using the genetic code table. For example, UAC codes for tyrosine (Tyr), GGU codes for glycine (Gly), GGA codes for glycine (Gly), UUU codes for phenylalanine (Phe), and AUG codes for methionine (Met).

Step 4: Recognize the stop codon. The sequence ends with UAA, which is a stop codon. Stop codons do not code for an amino acid; instead, they signal the termination of translation.

Step 5: Combine the amino acids in order to determine the sequence of methionine enkephalin. The amino acid sequence is Methionine (Met), Tyrosine (Tyr), Glycine (Gly), Glycine (Gly), Phenylalanine (Phe), Methionine (Met).

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Key Concepts

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

Endorphins

Endorphins are a group of polypeptides produced by the body that function as neurotransmitters. They are primarily known for their role in pain relief and the regulation of mood, often referred to as 'feel-good' hormones. Endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain and promoting feelings of pleasure.

mRNA and Codons

mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a type of RNA that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized. It is composed of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Understanding the codon sequence is essential for determining the amino acid order in a protein, such as methionine enkephalin.

Amino Acid Sequence

The amino acid sequence of a protein is determined by the order of codons in the mRNA. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid, and the sequence ultimately dictates the protein's structure and function. For methionine enkephalin, decoding the mRNA sequence into its corresponding amino acids is crucial for understanding its biological role.

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Endorphins are polypeptides that reduce pain. What is the amino acid order for the endorphin leucine enkephalin (leu-enkephalin), which has the following mRNA?

AUG UAC GGU GGA UUU CUA UAA

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Provide the amino acid corresponding to each of the following codons:

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