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 triplet with overlaps?

Key Concepts

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how sequences of nucleotides in mRNA are translated into amino acids. It consists of codons, which are triplets of nucleotides, each corresponding to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. Understanding the genetic code is essential for predicting the amino acid sequence from an mRNA strand.

Overlapping Codons

In a mechanism that reads the genetic code with overlaps, the reading frame shifts after each amino acid is added, allowing for the same nucleotide sequence to code for multiple amino acids. This means that the first codon overlaps with the second, and the second overlaps with the third, creating a different sequence of amino acids than if the codons were read in a non-overlapping manner.

Translation Process

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template. During translation, the ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides (codons) and assembles the corresponding amino acids into a polypeptide chain. The method of reading codons, whether overlapping or not, significantly influences the resulting protein's structure and function.