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Ch. 13 - The Genetic Code and Transcription
Klug - Concepts of Genetics 12th Edition
Klug12th EditionConcepts of Genetics ISBN: 9780135564776Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksKlug 12th EditionCh. 13 - The Genetic Code and TranscriptionProblem 13c
Chapter 13, Problem 13c

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be
5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'
If the molecule were a tRNA fragment containing a CGA anticodon, what would the corresponding codon be?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the anticodon sequence given in the problem, which is CGA. Remember that anticodons are written in the 3' to 5' direction to pair with codons in the 5' to 3' direction on mRNA.
Reverse the anticodon sequence to get its 5' to 3' orientation. For the anticodon CGA (3' to 5'), the 5' to 3' sequence would be AGC.
Determine the complementary codon sequence by pairing each base of the anticodon with its complementary base according to base pairing rules: C pairs with G, G pairs with C, and A pairs with U (since this is RNA).
Write the codon sequence in the 5' to 3' direction, which will be complementary and antiparallel to the anticodon. This means the codon will be 5'-GCU-3'.
Confirm that the codon sequence corresponds to the anticodon and is consistent with RNA base pairing rules, ensuring the codon can be correctly recognized by the tRNA fragment with the CGA anticodon.

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Key Concepts

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

Codon-Anticodon Base Pairing

Codons are three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that specify amino acids, while anticodons are complementary three-nucleotide sequences on tRNA. Base pairing between codon and anticodon follows Watson-Crick rules (A pairs with U, C pairs with G) and is essential for accurate translation of genetic information into proteins.
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Base Distortions

tRNA Structure and Function

tRNA molecules have a characteristic cloverleaf secondary structure and carry specific anticodons that recognize codons on mRNA. The anticodon loop binds to the mRNA codon during translation, ensuring the correct amino acid is incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain.
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Hyperchromic Shift and RNA Secondary Structure

A hyperchromic shift refers to an increase in UV absorbance due to the disruption of base stacking in nucleic acids, indicating the presence of secondary structures like hairpins or loops. This property helps identify folded RNA regions, such as those found in tRNA fragments.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Predict the amino acid sequence produced during translation by the following short hypothetical mRNA sequences (note that the second sequence was formed from the first by a deletion of only one nucleotide):

Sequence 1: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAUAGUUGA-3'

Sequence 2: 5'-AUGCCGGAUUAAGUUGA-3'

What type of mutation gave rise to sequence 2?

803
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Textbook Question

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

Propose a two-dimensional model for this molecule.

581
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Textbook Question

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

What DNA sequence would give rise to this RNA molecule through transcription?

697
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Textbook Question

A short RNA molecule was isolated that demonstrated a hyperchromic shift, indicating secondary structure. Its sequence was determined to be

   5'-AGGCGCCGACUCUACU-3'

If the molecule were an internal part of a message, what amino acid sequence would result from it following translation?

520
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Textbook Question

A glycine residue is in position 210 of the tryptophan synthetase enzyme of wild-type E. coli. If the codon specifying glycine is GGA, how many single-base substitutions will result in an amino acid substitution at position 210? What are they? How many will result if the wild-type codon is GGU?

555
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Textbook Question

Shown here is a hypothetical viral mRNA sequence:

 5'-AUGCAUACCUAUGAGACCCUUGGA-3'

Assuming that it could arise from overlapping genes, how many different polypeptide sequences can be produced? What are the sequences?

592
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