What is the amino acid for each of the following codons?
a. CAA

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. The question asks for the amino acid corresponding to the codon 'CAA'. A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid during protein synthesis.
2. Step 2: Recall the genetic code. The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into amino acids. Each codon corresponds to one specific amino acid or a stop signal.
3. Step 3: Match the codon to the amino acid. Using a codon chart or table, locate the codon 'CAA'. Codon charts are organized by the first, second, and third nucleotide of the codon.
4. Step 4: Identify the amino acid. According to the codon chart, the codon 'CAA' corresponds to the amino acid glutamine (abbreviated as Gln).
5. Step 5: Verify your answer. Double-check the codon chart to ensure that 'CAA' indeed corresponds to glutamine and confirm that the interpretation of the chart is correct.

Key Concepts

Codons

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis. Each codon is part of the genetic code, which translates the information encoded in DNA into proteins. For example, the codon CAA is recognized by the ribosome during translation and specifies the amino acid glutamine.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 standard amino acids, each with a unique side chain that determines its properties and role in protein structure and function. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is dictated by the order of codons in the mRNA, making the understanding of codons essential for identifying the corresponding amino acids.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how sequences of nucleotides in DNA and RNA are translated into amino acids. It is universal among almost all organisms and consists of 64 codons that encode for 20 amino acids and stop signals. Understanding the genetic code is crucial for interpreting how specific codons, like CAA, relate to their respective amino acids in the context of protein synthesis.