BIOC 4

Question 1

The protein synthesis problem:translating a sequence of nucleotides (mRNA) into a sequence of amino acids (protein)

Answer 1

• 4 bases vs 20 amino acids- need a code
• bases+ amino acids = chemically district - need adaptor
• amino acids = linked together need scaffold+catalyst

Question 2

The genetic code

Answer 2

• non overlapping
• Universal
• highly degenerate
• non random

Question 3

tRNA- adapters to translate nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence

Answer 3

tRNA= Transfer RNA
Produced by precursor
Mature tRNA= 76 to 78 bases
Secondary structure = Cloverleaf
Tertiary structure= L-shaped
Contains numerous modified bases
Amino acid attached to 3 OH
Anticodon binds to mRNA
Can recognize> 1 codon = wobble base