Multiple choice

A functional piece of mRNA has 66 codons. What is the maximum number of amino acids that could be present in the protein coded for by this mRNA?

  1. 22

  2. 64

  3. 65

  4. 66
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A functional strand of mRNA must have a start and a stop codon. The start codon often also codes for the amino acid methionine, which may or may not end up being a part of the final protein. However, the stop codon would not code for an amino acid. Thus, with 66 codons in the mRNA, there could be as many as 65 amino cells in the protein product.

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