Concept explainers
Interpretation:
A possible template strand (
Concept Introduction:
The first step of the synthesis of proteins using the information in DNA is transcription.
During transcription, the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA) from DNA takes place.
Only one DNA strand is needed for RNA synthesis, thus the double helix of DNA unwinds during transcription. The strand used for the RNA synthesis is called the template strand. The other strand (the non-template strand) is called the informational strand and is not involved in the RNA synthesis. The informational strand of DNA is complementary to the template strand.
The informational strand of DNA is complementary to the template strand; meaning the base sequence of the informational strand consists of the complementary base sequence of the template strand.
complementary base pairs:
Adenine pairs with thymine (A−T base pair).
Cytosine pairs with guanine (C−G base pair).
In addition, the direction of the two strands in the same DNA has different directions. Therefore, if the template strand goes from 3' to 5', the informational strand goes from 5' to 3'.
The mRNA synthesized from transcription has a complementary sequence to the DNA template from which it is prepared. Since the informational strand of DNA is complementary to the template strand, the mRNA is an exact copy of the informational strand, the only exception is that the base T present in the informational strand is replaced by U on the RNA strand.
The information needed to prepare a polypeptide is in the mRNA strand. Each sequence of three nucleotides (which is called a triplet or a codon) in the mRNA strand codes for a specific amino acid, except for three triplets: UAA, UAG, and UGA do not correspond to any amino acids and they are called stop codons because they signal the termination of protein synthesis.
Based on the codon sequence of the mRNA strand, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide strand can be determined.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to add to the synthesizing peptide chain. Each individual tRNA contains an anticodon of three nucleotides that is complementary to the codon in mRNA.
In a polypeptide, the amino acids are bonded via peptide bonds.
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General, Organic, & Biological Chemistry
- Write the base sequence for the mRNA that would be formed during transcription from the DNA strand with the base sequence GCCATATTG.arrow_forwardThe DNA template strand segment 3TTCAAACCGTAC5 upon transcription and translation produces the amino acid sequence Lys-Phe-Gly-Met. What is the amino acid sequence produced if a frameshift mutation occurs in which the third A base in the original DNA sequence is removed?arrow_forwardMust the ratio of guanine to cytosine be 1:1 in RNA? Explain.arrow_forward
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- Using the single letter abbreviations A, V, and L, as given in Table 22-1, list the tripeptides formed if alanine, valine, and leucine are all mixed together and peptide bonds are allowed to form in all possible combinations.arrow_forwardHuman brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a small peptide of 32 amino acids used in the treatment of congestive heart failure. How many nitrogen bases are present in the DNA that codes for BNP?arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements about the genetic code are true and which are false? Correct each false statement. a.Each codon is composed of four bases. b.Some amino acids are represented by more than one carbon. c.All codons represent an amino acid. d.Each living species is thought to have its own unique genetic code. e.The codon AUG at the beginning of a sequence is a signal for protein synthesis to begin at that codon. f.It is not known if the code contains stop signals for protein synthesis.arrow_forward
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