Question

During translation, nucleotide base triplets (codons) in mRNA are read in sequence in the 5’ → 3’ direction along the mRNA. Amino acids are specified by the string of codons. What amino acid sequence does the following mRNA nucleotide sequence specify? 5′−AUGGCAAGAAAA−3′

Answer 1

Answer: The sequence is Met-Ala-Arg-Lys

Step-by-step explanation: "Reading" of RNAm starts at 5' and ends at 3'. It reads 3 nucleotides (codons) and add only one specific amino acid.

The relation of codons and aminoacids (which codon decodes which aminoacid) is the genetic code and it can be found in a table called codon table. To interpret the table, we have to:

1) Look for the first letter of the codon at the left side of the table;

2) The second letter of the codon is found at the top of the table;

3) After finding the first and the second, you will find a specific box, containing all the combinations;

4) Look for thte third nucleotide and then relate the codon to the aminoacid;

For this sequence, RNA will read:

AUG and will add aminoacid Met

GCA is Ala

AGA is Arg

AAA is Lys

Therefore, the sequence of aminoacids is Met-Ala-Arg-Lys.