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Ch.11 Nucleic Acids–Big Molecules with a Big Role
Chapter 7, Problem 11.66a

List the possible codons for each of the following amino acids:


a. threonine

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1
Identify the genetic code table, which maps codons to amino acids.
Locate the amino acid 'threonine' in the genetic code table.
Note that threonine is represented by multiple codons.
List the codons that correspond to threonine.
Ensure that all possible codons for threonine are included in your list.

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Key Concepts

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

Codons

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids during protein synthesis. Each codon is part of the genetic code, which translates the information encoded in DNA into functional proteins. Understanding codons is essential for determining which amino acids are produced in response to specific sequences in the genetic material.
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Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 standard amino acids, each with a unique side chain that determines its properties and role in protein structure and function. Knowing the amino acids and their corresponding codons is crucial for understanding how proteins are synthesized and how genetic information is expressed.
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Threonine

Threonine is one of the 20 standard amino acids and is classified as an essential amino acid, meaning it must be obtained through diet. In the context of codons, threonine is encoded by the codons ACU, ACC, ACA, and ACG. Recognizing the specific codons for threonine is important for understanding its role in protein synthesis and the overall genetic code.
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