In: Biology
1.Does each amino acid have the same chemical properties? Why or why not?
2.How do only 4 different RNA nucleotides code for 20 different amino acids?
3. How does a start codon differ from a stop codon? Do they possess any similarities
1. Each amino acid has an amino, a carboxyl group and a side chain (or R group) attached to the alpha-carbon. The side chain/R-group imparts differences in the chemical properties of various amino acids. The unique characteristics of each amino acid arises from the size, shape, solubility, and ionization properties of its side chain.
2. A codon (triplet of nucleotides) codes for a single amino acid. There are total 43 = 64 different sequence combinations possible from the triplets of four nucleotides. This way, out of 64 codons, 61 codons code for amino acids while 3 (stop) codons do not code for any amino acids. Some codons are degenerate, i.e., they code for the same amino acids.
3. Start codon (AUG) codes for methionine while three stop codons (TAA, TGA & TAG) do not code for any amino acids. Start codon is the first codon from where protein synthesis starts and continues until any stop codon is encountered. Both start and stop codons are triplet of nucleotides and present in the mRNA sequence.