Genetic Code and Translation Concepts

The video tutorial covers two key skills in IB Biology: using a genetic code table to deduce which codons correspond to which amino acids, and determining the sequence of amino acids from a known mRNA strand. It explains how to use the genetic code table, emphasizing that students should focus on mRNA codons rather than anticodons. The tutorial highlights the non-overlapping and degenerate nature of the genetic code and provides a step-by-step guide to decoding mRNA sequences. It concludes with an example of determining an amino acid sequence, stressing the importance of recognizing stop codons.

What is the primary skill being taught in this IB Biology lesson?

• Identifying plant species

• Using a microscope to observe cells

• Using a table of the genetic code to deduce amino acids

• Calculating the pH of a solution

What is the purpose of using a genetic code table in this lesson?

• To calculate the molecular weight of proteins

• To measure the length of an mRNA strand

• To determine the sequence of amino acids from an mRNA strand

• To identify the structure of DNA

How do you begin reading a genetic code table?

• By counting the number of nucleotides

• By looking at the first letter of the codon

• By finding the anticodon

• By identifying the third letter of the codon

Which of the following is a characteristic of the genetic code?

• It is reversible

• It is non-overlapping

• It is overlapping

• It is ambiguous

What is the role of the anticodon in translation?

• It signals the end of the mRNA strand

• It is used to find the start codon

• It determines the sequence of DNA

• It is not needed when using the genetic code table

What is the significance of the start codon in mRNA translation?

• It codes for the amino acid leucine

• It signals the end of the translation process

• It marks the beginning of the amino acid chain

• It is not involved in the translation process

What does the term 'degenerate code' refer to in genetics?

• Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid

• Codons are not used in protein synthesis

• The genetic code is unstable

• Each codon codes for multiple amino acids

What happens when a stop codon is reached during translation?

• The mRNA strand is discarded

• The amino acid chain stops growing

• The translation process restarts

• The amino acid chain continues to grow

Which amino acid is coded by the start codon AUG?

• Serine

• Leucine

• Arginine

• Methionine

In the example provided, what is the sequence of amino acids translated from the mRNA sequence?

• Start, Ser, Leu, Arg, Stop

• Start, Leu, Arg, Ser, Stop

• Start, Arg, Ser, Leu, Stop

• Start, Ser, Arg, Arg, Stop