Question

Which mRNA will be translated to a polypeptide chain containing 8 amino acids?

Options

• AUGUUAAUAGACGAGUAGCGACGAUGU

• AUGAGACGGACUGCAUUCCCAACCUGA

• AUGCCCAACCGUUAUUCAUGCUAG

• AUGUCGACAGUCUAAAACAGCGGG

Answer 1

AUGAGACGGACUGCAUUCCCAACCUGA

Explanation:

The translation process starts at the start codon, AUG, which codes for the first amino acid, methionine. It then continues to read the mRNA in groups of three nucleotides (codons) until it encounters one of the three stop codons: UAA, UAG, or UGA. The stop codon does not code for an amino acid but rather terminates the process. To get a polypeptide chain of 8 amino acids, there must be a total of 9 codons: the start codon (AUG), 7 additional amino acid codons, and a stop codon at the end.