[Campbell Biology P.390] A segment of an mRNA sequence is given as 5'-AGAGAACCGCGA-3'. Assum... | Practice Question

A segment of an mRNA sequence is given as 5'-AGAGAACCGCGA-3'. Assuming translation starts from the very first nucleotide and proceeds in non-overlapping triplets, what is the sequence of amino acids coded by this segment?

  • A: Arg-Glu-Pro-Arg
  • B: Arg-Asp-Pro-Arg
  • C: Ser-Glu-Pro-Ala
  • D: Arg-Lys-Pro-Arg

Explanation

To translate the mRNA sequence 5'-AGAGAACCGCGA-3', it must be read in non-overlapping triplets codons from 5' to 3'. This breaks the sequence into: AGA, GAA, CCG, CGA. Using the codon table Figure 17.6 : - AGA codes for Arginine Arg - GAA codes for Glutamic acid Glu - CCG codes for Proline Pro - CGA codes for Arginine Arg Thus, the resulting amino acid sequence is Arg-Glu-Pro-Arg.