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Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 1, Problem 23

Fill in the missing nucleotides (so there are three per block) and the missing amino acid abbreviations in the graphic shown here. 


Diagram showing DNA, mRNA, tRNA, and amino acids for genetics fundamentals.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the missing nucleotides in the DNA template strand by using the complementary base-pairing rules. For DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Fill in the missing nucleotides in the template strand based on the coding strand provided.
Transcribe the DNA template strand into mRNA. Use the base-pairing rules for transcription: adenine (A) in DNA pairs with uracil (U) in RNA, thymine (T) in DNA pairs with adenine (A) in RNA, and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Fill in the missing mRNA codons.
Determine the tRNA anticodons that correspond to the mRNA codons. Remember that tRNA anticodons are complementary to the mRNA codons, following the base-pairing rules (A pairs with U, and C pairs with G). Fill in the missing tRNA anticodons.
Use the genetic code table to translate the mRNA codons into their corresponding amino acids. Each codon specifies one amino acid. Fill in the missing amino acid abbreviations (both 3-letter and 1-letter codes).
Double-check your work to ensure that the DNA, mRNA, tRNA, and amino acid sequences are consistent with each other and follow the rules of transcription and translation.

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Key Concepts

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

DNA Structure and Function

DNA consists of two strands forming a double helix, with each strand made up of nucleotides. The coding strand contains the sequence that is transcribed into mRNA, while the template strand serves as a guide for RNA polymerase during transcription. Understanding the directionality (5' to 3') of these strands is crucial for accurately filling in missing nucleotides.
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DNA Structure

Transcription and mRNA

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA. The mRNA codons are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Recognizing how codons are formed from the DNA template is essential for completing the missing sequences in the question.
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Prokaryotic Transcription

tRNA and Translation

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching their anticodons with the mRNA codons. Each tRNA anticodon is complementary to a specific mRNA codon, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain. Understanding this relationship is key to determining the correct amino acid abbreviations in the graphic.
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Translation initiation
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Examine the following figure and answer the following questions.

How many clades are shown in the figure?

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Textbook Question

Examine the following figure and answer the following questions.

What characteristic is shared by all clades in the figure?

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Textbook Question

Examine the following figure and answer the following questions.

What characteristics are shared by the mammalian clade and the primate clade? What characteristic distinguishes the primates from other members of the mammalian clade?

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Textbook Question

Suppose a genotype for a protein-producing gene can have any combination of three alleles, A₁, A₂, and A₃.

List all the possible genotypes involving these three alleles.

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Textbook Question

Suppose a genotype for a protein-producing gene can have any combination of three alleles, A₁, A₂, and A₃.

Each allele produces a protein with a distinct electrophoretic mobility. Allele A₁ has the highest electrophoretic mobility, A₃ has the lowest electrophoretic mobility, and the electrophoretic mobility of A₂ is intermediate between them. Draw the appearance of gel electrophoresis protein bands for each of the possible genotypes. Be sure to label each lane of the gel with the corresponding genotype.

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Textbook Question

Shorter fragments of DNA (those with fewer base pairs) have a higher electrophoretic mobility than larger fragments. Thinking about electrophoresis gels as creating a matrix through which fragments must migrate, briefly explain why the size of a DNA fragment affects its electrophoretic mobility.

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