Ch. 17 - Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Problem 5

Chapter 17, Problem 5

Which component is not directly involved in translation? a. GTP b. DNA c. tRNA d. ribosomes

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the process of translation. Translation is the process in biology where the genetic code in mRNA is read to produce a specific protein. It involves several components including tRNA, ribosomes, and GTP.

Step 2: Analyze each option. GTP provides the energy needed for the translation process, tRNA carries the amino acids that are used to build the protein, and ribosomes are the sites where translation occurs.

Step 3: Consider the role of DNA. DNA contains the genetic information, but it is not directly involved in the process of translation. Instead, it is transcribed into mRNA, which is then used in translation.

Step 4: Compare the roles of the components. While DNA is crucial for the overall process of protein synthesis, it is not directly involved in the translation process.

Step 5: Choose the correct answer. Therefore, the answer is b. DNA.

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Key Concepts

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

Translation

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using messenger RNA (mRNA) as a template. During this process, transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring amino acids to the ribosome, where they are assembled into a polypeptide chain according to the sequence of codons in the mRNA. This is a crucial step in gene expression, converting genetic information into functional proteins.

Role of tRNA

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA that plays a key role in translation by carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon that pairs with a corresponding codon on the mRNA, ensuring that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain. This specificity is vital for the accurate synthesis of proteins.

DNA's Role in Protein Synthesis

DNA contains the genetic blueprint for all living organisms and is responsible for encoding the information needed to produce proteins. However, DNA itself is not directly involved in the translation process; instead, it is transcribed into mRNA, which then serves as the template for translation. Thus, while DNA is essential for protein synthesis, it does not participate directly in the translation phase.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not true of a codon? a. It may code for the same amino acid as another codon. b. It never codes for more than one amino acid. c. It extends from one end of a tRNA molecule. d. It is the basic unit of the genetic code.

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Textbook Question

The anticodon of a particular tRNA molecule is a. complementary to the corresponding mRNA codon. b. complementary to the corresponding triplet in rRNA. c. the part of tRNA that bonds to a specific amino acid. d. catalytic, making the tRNA a ribozyme.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is not true of RNA processing? a. Exons are cut out before mRNA leaves the nucleus. b. Nucleotides may be added at both ends of the RNA. c. Ribozymes may function in RNA splicing. d. RNA splicing can be catalyzed by spliceosomes.

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Textbook Question

Using Figure 17.6, identify a 5′→3′ sequence of nucleotides in the DNA template strand for an mRNA coding for the polypeptide sequence Phe-Pro-Lys. a. 5′-UUUCCCAAA-3′ b. 5′-GAACCCCTT-3′ c. 5′-CTTCGGGAA-3′ d. 5′-AAACCCUUU-3′

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Textbook Question

Which of the following mutations would be most likely to have a harmful effect on an organism? a. a deletion of three nucleotides near the middle of a gene b. a single nucleotide deletion in the middle of an intron c. a single nucleotide deletion near the end of the coding sequence d. a single nucleotide insertion downstream of, and close to, the start of the coding sequence

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Textbook Question

Would the coupling of the processes shown in Figure 17.24 be found in a eukaryotic cell? Explain why or why not.

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