Question

1. The entire b-globin chain has 146 amino acids. What would be the minimum number of nucleotides in the mRNA that would encode the b-globin protein? Explain your reasoning:
2. How many tRNA molecules will be needed to translate the b-globin mRNA into protein? Explain your reasoning:

Answer 1

1. 1 codon = 1 amino acid = 3 nucleotides

146 amino acids = 3 × 146 = 438 nucleotides

2. One amino acid will be encoded by one tRNA. So, the number of tRNA required will be equal to the number of amino acids.

So, 146 tRNA will be required.

Note -

Messenger RNA carries the codon. Transfer RNA carries the anticodon. Both of them are complementary to each other. They both interact with each other during translation and this leads to the addition of one amino acid in the growing peptide chain.

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