Problem 85 - Chemistry Matter and Change

Question

The genetic code is a triplet code, that is, a sequence of three bases in RNA codes for each amino acid in a pep- tide chain or protein. How many RNA bases are required to code for a protein that contains 577 amino acids?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

1,731 RNA bases are needed to code for 577 amino acids.

Step 1: Understanding the Genetic Code

The genetic code is a triplet code, meaning each amino acid in a protein sequence is encoded by three nucleotides, or bases, in the RNA sequence.

Step 2: Calculate Bases for One Amino Acid

Since each amino acid is represented by a triplet of bases, for one amino acid, exactly 3 RNA bases are needed.

Step 3: Calculate Total RNA Bases

For a protein composed of 577 amino acids, you need a total of \(577 \times 3\) RNA bases. This multiplication gives the total number of bases required to represent the entire protein sequence.

Step 4: Perform the Calculation

Computing \(577 \times 3\) yields 1731. Therefore, you need 1731 RNA bases to code for a protein that contains 577 amino acids.

Key Concepts

Triplet Code

The genetic code is often referred to as the "triplet code," and it's essential to how organisms translate genetic material into proteins. Each amino acid, the building block of proteins, is encoded by a sequence of three nucleotides in RNA. These groups of three nucleotides are called codons. The trio of nucleotides makes the genetic code highly specific.

• Each codon corresponds to one specific amino acid or a signaling instruction like start or stop.
• There are 64 possible codons, derived from combinations of four different bases (A, U, C, G) in sets of three.
• Even though there are only 20 standard amino acids, this redundancy means that several codons can code for the same amino acid.

This redundancy is a protective feature against mutations. If one base is altered, there’s a chance the codon will still code for the same amino acid, minimizing the effects of genetic mistakes.

RNA Sequence

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, carries genetic information from DNA to the protein-making machinery in the cell. Understanding RNA sequences is crucial because they serve as the blueprints for protein synthesis.

• RNA is similar to DNA but contains ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose and uracil (U) replaces thymine (T).
• During transcription, DNA serves as a template to synthesize RNA, resulting in a complementary RNA strand.

The sequence of RNA is crucial since it determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins via translation. RNA is read in sets of three bases, or codons, where each codon fits specific tRNA molecules carrying corresponding amino acids. This process enables cells to produce specific proteins needed for all cellular functions.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, which are vital to nearly all cellular processes. Each amino acid is characterized by its specific codon sequence in RNA, pinpointing its place in a protein structure.

• There are 20 standard amino acids, each with distinct properties that influence protein shape and function.
• A protein's function is directly related to its sequence of amino acids, which determines its three-dimensional structure.
• Proteins can be enzymes, hormones, structural components, and have many other roles.

The order and combination of amino acids in a protein are what enable such diversity in function, making them indispensable to life. Each triplet of RNA bases translates into a specified amino acid, creating a linear chain that folds into a functioning protein.