Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Biology
DNA structure depends on base pairing of its four nucleotides, A, C, T, and G. Nucleotide A pairs with T, and nucleotide C pairs with G. This forms a four-letter DNA “alphabet." Because DNA codes for amino acids in sets of three nucleotides, there are 4 cubed (4³), or 64, possible combinations, coding for 20 different amino acids. What is the best explanation for why there is no selective advantage for DNA to have five nucleotides (e.g., A, C, T, G, and E) with C pairing with either G or functionally equivalent E? It would be impossible to form the DNA molecule, because it must have an equal number of Cs and Gs. Because G and E have the same role, there would still be four functional letters of the alphabet. Replication would be inaccurate because sometimes C would bond with G and sometimes C would bond with E. There would be a five-letter alphabet with 125 combinations, which is too numerous. It is impossible because there are not five known nucleotides in the cell.

DNA structure depends on base pairing of its four nucleotides, A, C, T, and G. Nucleotide A pairs with T, and nucleotide C pairs with G. This forms a four-letter DNA “alphabet." Because DNA codes for amino acids in sets of three nucleotides, there are 4 cubed (4³), or 64, possible combinations, coding for 20 different amino acids. What is the best explanation for why there is no selective advantage for DNA to have five nucleotides (e.g., A, C, T, G, and E) with C pairing with either G or functionally equivalent E? It would be impossible to form the DNA molecule, because it must have an equal number of Cs and Gs. Because G and E have the same role, there would still be four functional letters of the alphabet. Replication would be inaccurate because sometimes C would bond with G and sometimes C would bond with E. There would be a five-letter alphabet with 125 combinations, which is too numerous. It is impossible because there are not five known nucleotides in the cell.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
DNA structure depends on base pairing of its four nucleotides, A, C, T, and G. Nucleotide A pairs with T, and nucleotide C pairs with G. This forms a four-letter DNA “alphabet." Because DNA codes for amino acids in sets of three nucleotides, there are 4 cubed (4'), or 64, possible combinations, coding for 20 different amino acids. What is the best explanation for why there is no selective advantage for DNA to have five nucleotides (e.g., A, C, T, G, and E) with C pairing with either G or functionally equivalent E? It would be impossible to form the DNA molecule, because it must have an equal number of Cs and Gs. Because G and E have the same role, there would still be four functional letters of the alphabet. Replication would be inaccurate because sometimes C would bond with G and sometimes C would bond with E. There would be a five-letter alphabet with 125 combinations, which is too numerous. It is impossible because there are not five known nucleotides in the cell.
Transcribed Image Text:DNA structure depends on base pairing of its four nucleotides, A, C, T, and G. Nucleotide A pairs with T, and nucleotide C pairs with G. This forms a four-letter DNA “alphabet." Because DNA codes for amino acids in sets of three nucleotides, there are 4 cubed (4'), or 64, possible combinations, coding for 20 different amino acids. What is the best explanation for why there is no selective advantage for DNA to have five nucleotides (e.g., A, C, T, G, and E) with C pairing with either G or functionally equivalent E? It would be impossible to form the DNA molecule, because it must have an equal number of Cs and Gs. Because G and E have the same role, there would still be four functional letters of the alphabet. Replication would be inaccurate because sometimes C would bond with G and sometimes C would bond with E. There would be a five-letter alphabet with 125 combinations, which is too numerous. It is impossible because there are not five known nucleotides in the cell.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Macromolecules
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS