Q. 5

Question

How many nucleotides are in 12 mRNA codons? 

a. 12 

b. 24 

c. 36 

d. 48 

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

Option c is the correct answer.

1Step 1: Introduction

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides found in either DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) that code for particular amino acids. The nucleotides are guanine, cytosine, adenine, thymine (DNA), and uracil (RNA). Given that each codon comprises three nucleotides and that there are 12 mRNA molecules present, the total number of nucleotides will be greater than 12 and less than 24 but less than 48.

2Step 2: The explanation for the correct answer

Since each codon consists of three nucleotides, there would be 12 mRNA codons, totalling 36 nucleotides. So, Option C i.e., 36 is the correct answer.

3Step 3: The explanation for incorrect options

The rest of the options are irrelevant since the correct answer is factual in nature.