Q 24E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Question: The codon UAA stops protein synthesis. Why does the sequence UAA in the following stretch of mRNA not cause any problems?

-GCA-UUC-GAG-GUA-ACG-CCC-

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

In the mRNA sequence -GCA-UUC-GAG-GUA-ACG-CCC-, the “UAA” will not cause any problem because it is not a triplet of the four bases in the mRNA.

Step 1: Definition of mRNA Sequence

A sequence used as a template to assemble in order the chain of amino acids that form a protein is defined as an mRNA sequence.

Step 2: Explanations

In the sequence, -GCA-UUC-GAG-GUA-ACG-CCC-UAA codes for stop but it does not have an effect in the given sequence. Each codon consists of three ribonucleotides which are specific for the given amino acid in the form of the triplet. 

In the given sequence UAA is not in the form of the triplet.

So it will not cause any problem in the mRNA sequence.