Question

JURCU U U This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the question. If there are five different types of bases in mRNA instead of four, what will be the minimum codon length needed to specify for 4, 20, and 30 different codons, or amino acids? Step 5: Calculate the minimum codon length needed to define four amino acids. With five bases, what is the minimum codon length needed to specify four codons? minimum codon length: base(s) Question Source: Pierce 6e - Genetics: A Conceptual Approach publ about us careers privacy policy terms of use contact us help

Answer 1

Answer 1

Number of bases = 5

Minimum codon length needed to code for four amino acids = 5^1= 5 different combinations are possible

Here 1 base = 1 codon

Minimum codon length needed to code for 20 amino acids = 5^2 = 25 different combinations are possible

Here 2 bases = 1 codon

Minimum codon length needed to code for amino acids = 5^3= 125 different combinations are possible

Here 3 bases = 1 codon

Answer 2

The minimum codon length for 4 amino acid is 4*4 =16 base pairs

Minimum codon length required to code 4 amino acids ie. the total bases required would be = 4X 4= 16 bases / 4 genetic codons.