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Chapter 27: Q5CP (page 988)

Which codons serve as punctuation signals?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The initiation codons and the stop codons serve as punctuation signals.

Step by step solution

01

Initiation codon

AUG or sometimes GUG serves as the initiation codon, which helps initiate translation to form a polypeptide chain. There are no gaps between the reading frame of nucleotides in the mRNA. Therefore, the start can be considered as punctuation.

02

Stop codon

There are three stop codons, also known as non-sense codons: UGA, UAG, and UAA. They don’t code for any amino acid and signals for the termination of protein synthesis. Thus, it can be considered as punctuation, a full stop.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Could a single nucleotide deletion restore the function of a protein-coding gene interrupted by the insertion of a 4-nt sequence? Explain.

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Why must a polypeptide sequence begin with a designated Start codon?

Describe the distribution of proteins in the ribosomal subunits.

In the genetic code used by mitochondria in many species, UGA codes for tryptophan rather than a Stop signal. How does mitochondrial translation terminate?
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