Question

If each amino acid weighs 100 mass units, what is the weight (in mass units) of the protein, molecules synthesis from a mRNA molecule which is 600 bases long?
A. 2000
B. 6000
C. 20000
D. 60000

Answer 1

Hint: Proteins are composed of amino acids. These amino acids usually determine the basic structure and function of the protein. Each amino acid is encoded in nucleic acids by three-letter sequences called codons.

Complete answer:
There is a close connection between genes and synthesis of polypeptides. Arrangement of nucleotides or their nitrogenous bases is connected with the synthesis of proteins by influencing the incorporation of amino acids. The genetic code is defined as the relation between the sequence of nucleotide bases in DNA or its RNA transcripts and the sequence of amino acids in proteins. Proteins are formed from a basic set of 20 amino acids, but there are only four nucleotide bases. Simple calculations represent that a minimum of three bases is needed to encode at least 20 amino acids. Normally genetic code represents mRNA language. This is due to the cytoplasmic constituents can read the code from mRNA and not the DNA present inside the nucleus.
In the above example, it is given that each amino acid weighs 100 mass units. Each amino acid consists of a triplet. It means it has 3 base pairs. If a protein is having 600 base pairs, that means it has approximately 200 amino acids. Hence, the weight of 200 acids will be 200 x 100 = 20000 mass units.

Thus, the correct answer is '20000.'

Note:
Genetic code is the sequence of nucleotides in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) that determines the amino acid sequence of proteins. A codon or triplet of bases specifies a specific amino acid. Most amino acids are specified by more than one codon.