Textbook Question
Assuming the genetic code is a triplet, what effect would the addition or loss of two nucleotides have on the reading frame? The addition or loss of three, six, or nine nucleotides?
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Ch. 14 - Translation and Proteins
Chapter 14, Problem 4
Francis Crick proposed the 'adaptor hypothesis' for the function of tRNA. Why did he choose that description?
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Understand the context: Francis Crick was trying to explain how the genetic code in DNA is translated into proteins, which are made up of amino acids.
Recognize the problem: DNA is composed of nucleotides, while proteins are composed of amino acids. There needs to be a mechanism to translate the nucleotide sequence into an amino acid sequence.
Identify the role of tRNA: Crick proposed that there must be an 'adaptor' molecule that can read the nucleotide sequence and bring the correct amino acid to the growing protein chain.
Explain the 'adaptor' concept: tRNA acts as this adaptor by having an anticodon region that pairs with the mRNA codon and an attached specific amino acid that corresponds to that codon.
Conclude why 'adaptor' is fitting: The term 'adaptor' is used because tRNA adapts the language of nucleic acids to the language of proteins, facilitating the translation process.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Adaptor Hypothesis
The adaptor hypothesis, proposed by Francis Crick, suggests that transfer RNA (tRNA) serves as a molecular adaptor that translates the genetic code from nucleic acids to proteins. It posits that tRNA molecules bind to specific amino acids and recognize corresponding codons on messenger RNA (mRNA), facilitating the assembly of amino acids into polypeptide chains during protein synthesis.
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Translation:Wobble Hypothesis
tRNA Structure and Function
tRNA is a small RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in translating the genetic information encoded in mRNA into proteins. Each tRNA has a specific anticodon that pairs with a complementary codon on the mRNA strand, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain. The structure of tRNA, which includes a cloverleaf shape, is essential for its function in protein synthesis.
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Genetic Code
The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins. It consists of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Understanding the genetic code is vital for comprehending how tRNA and ribosomes work together to synthesize proteins, as it dictates the sequence in which amino acids are assembled.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Contrast the roles of tRNA and mRNA during translation, and list all enzymes that participate in the transcription and translation process.
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Textbook Question
The mRNA formed from the repeating tetranucleotide UUAC incorporates only three amino acids, but the use of UAUC incorporates four amino acids. Why?
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Textbook Question
In studies using repeating copolymers, AC . . . incorporates threonine and histidine, and CAACAA . . . incorporates glutamine, asparagine, and threonine. What triplet code can definitely be assigned to threonine?
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Textbook Question
During translation, what molecule bears the codon? the anticodon?
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Textbook Question
In a coding experiment using repeating copolymers (as demonstrated in Table 13.3), the following data were obtained:
Copolymer Codons Produced Amino Acids in Polypeptide
AG AGA, GAG Arg, Glu
AAG AGA, AAG, GAA Lys, Arg, Glu
AGG is known to code for arginine. Taking into account the wobble hypothesis, assign each of the four codons produced in the experiment to its correct amino acid.
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