In an experiment to decipher the genetic code, a poly-AC mRNA (ACACACAC...) is synthesized. What pattern of amino acids would appear if this sequence were to be translated by a mechanism that reads the genetic code as

a quadruplet without overlaps?

Key Concepts

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into amino acids. It consists of codons, which are triplets of nucleotides, but in this case, the question refers to reading the sequence in quadruplets. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, and understanding this code is essential for predicting the resulting protein sequence.

Translation Mechanism

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template. In this experiment, the translation is specified to occur in quadruplets, meaning that every four nucleotides are read together to form a single amino acid. This differs from the standard triplet reading and requires a different understanding of how amino acids are encoded.

Amino Acid Sequence

The amino acid sequence is the order of amino acids in a protein, which determines its structure and function. In the context of the question, translating the poly-AC mRNA in quadruplets will yield a specific pattern of amino acids. Understanding how to derive this sequence from the mRNA is crucial for answering the question accurately.