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Suppose you inject a molecule of mRNA consisting only of several hundred "A" (adenosine) nucleotides into a cell. Would this mRNA be translated? Why or why not?

User Aristotle
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Final answer:

The mRNA molecule consisting only of several hundred 'A' (adenosine) nucleotides would not be translated.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mRNA molecule consisting only of several hundred 'A' (adenosine) nucleotides would not be translated.

In order for translation to occur, an mRNA molecule needs to have a start codon (AUG) which marks the initiation of protein synthesis. Without a start codon, the translation machinery in the cell cannot recognize the mRNA and initiate the process.

Therefore, if the mRNA molecule does not contain a start codon, it would not be translated into a protein.

User RayChen
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