Question

We would expect that a 15-nucleotide sequence that includes a stop codon at the end (as part of the 15-nucleotide sequence) will direct the production of a polypeptide that consists of _________.

Answer 1

Answer:

4 amino acids.

Explanation:

To become translated into protein, a sequence is read in triplets called codons.

Each codon that codes for an amino acid is made up of 3 nucleotides.

Therefore, a sequence of 15 nucleotides would be translated into a polypeptide that is made up of 5 amino acids. (15 divided by 3 = 5)

However, we are told that there is a stop codon at the end of this sequence.

A stop codon is a specialised codon that does not code for an amino acid, but tells the protein machinery that the polypeptide is complete.

Therefore, the polypeptide would have 5-1 amino acids, which corresponds to 4 amino acids.