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Chapter 15: 5.question (page 391)

How many nucleotides are in 12 mRNA codons?

a. 12

b. 24

c. 36

d. 48

Short Answer

Expert verified

In each of the 12 codons of mRNA, there are 36 nucleotide bases.

Step by step solution

01

step-1: Introduction

A single-stranded RNA molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) is complementary to one of a gene's DNA strands.

02

step-2: Explanation of correct answer

Option (c) 36 numbers. This is caused by genetic code degeneration. The degeneracy of genetic coding states that there are 64 codes of three nucleotides for every 20 amino acids. When a codon is a singlet (41=4), there are only four possible combinations of A,U,G, and C. It can make 16 distinct combinations (42)as a doublet, but it can produce 64 different combinations as a triplet (43), which is enough to encode for 20 amino acids. Because triplets comprise three nucleotides.

12×3=36

there are a total of 36 nucleotides in 12 codons for 12 mRNA.

03

step-3: Explanation of incorrect answer

Option (a) 12 number. This number is not possible because the number of nucleotide asked is for 12mRNA only . We can get this number of nucleotides when 4mRNA is asked .
Option (b) 24.This number is not possible because number of nucleotide asked is for only12mRNA . We can get this number of nucleotides when8mRNA is asked.
Option (d) 48 numbers. This number is not possible because number of nucleotide asked is for only 12mRNA. We can get this number of nucleotides when 16mRNAis asked.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What processing step enhances the stability of pretRNAs and pre-rRNAs?

a. methylation

b. nucleotide modification

c. cleavage

d. splicing

. Which event contradicts the central dogma of molecular biology?

a. Poly-A polymerase enzymes process mRNA in the nucleus.

b. Endonuclease enzymes splice out and repair damaged DNA.

c. Scientists use reverse transcriptase enzymes to make DNA from RNA.

d. Codons specifying amino acids are degenerate and universal.

The RNA components of ribosomes are synthesized in the ________. a. cytoplasm b. nucleus c. nucleolus d. endoplasmic reticulum

If mRNA is complementary to the DNA template strand and the DNA template strand is complementary to the DNA nontemplate strand, then why are base sequences of mRNA and the DNA nontemplate strand not identical? Could they ever be?

A scientist splices a eukaryotic promoter in front of a bacterial gene and inserts the gene in a bacterial chromosome. Would you expect the bacteria to transcribe the gene?
See all solutions

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