One of the possibilities considered about the genetic code was that the code was overlapping, meaning that a single base could be part of up to three codons. How many amino acids would be encoded in the sequence 5′-AUGUUACGGAAU-3′ by a non-overlapping and a maximally overlapping triplet code? a. 4 (non-overlapping) and 16 (overlapping) b. 4 and 12 c. 4 and 10 d. 12 and 4

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the sequence provided: 5′-AUGUUACGGAAU-3′.
2. For a non-overlapping code, divide the sequence into triplets starting from the first base: AUG, UUA, CGG, AAU.
3. Count the number of triplets in the non-overlapping sequence to determine the number of amino acids encoded.
4. For a maximally overlapping code, consider each base as the start of a new triplet: AUG, UGU, GUU, UUA, UAC, ACG, CGG, GGA, GAA, AAU.
5. Count the number of triplets in the overlapping sequence to determine the number of amino acids encoded.

Key Concepts

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how sequences of nucleotides in DNA or RNA are translated into proteins. It consists of codons, which are triplets of nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Understanding the genetic code is essential for interpreting how genetic information is expressed in living organisms.

Non-overlapping vs. Overlapping Codons

In a non-overlapping codon system, each nucleotide is part of only one codon, meaning that each triplet is read independently. In contrast, an overlapping codon system allows a single nucleotide to be included in multiple codons, potentially increasing the number of amino acids encoded. This distinction is crucial for calculating the number of amino acids produced from a given nucleotide sequence.

Triplet Code

The triplet code refers to the way genetic information is encoded in sets of three nucleotides, or codons, which correspond to specific amino acids. Each triplet is read sequentially during translation to synthesize proteins. Understanding how to count and interpret these triplets is vital for solving problems related to protein synthesis and genetic coding.