MCAT Question of the Day


  • Q:

    A bacterium has been genetically transformed with human Gene A which consists of approximately 800 nucleotides. During expression, researchers notice that the protein is not being translated; only fragments of approximately 50 amino acids are formed. Genetic sequencing shows there are no nonsense mutations in the gene sequence. Which of the following is a plausible explanation for the observation?

     

    A

    The bacterium lacks the tRNA that corresponds to the particular codon for the 51st amino acid.

    B

    The bacterial ribosome is incompatible with the human mRNA and cannot properly translate the protein.

    C

    The bacterium is unable to glycosylate the protein, terminating translation early.

    D

    The human gene is too long; bacteria can only synthesize proteins up to approximately 50 amino acids.



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