If there are 999 bases in an RNA that codes for a protein with 333 amino acids, and the base at position 901 is deleted such that the length of the RNA becomes 998 bases, how many codons will be altered ?
- 1
- 11
- 333
- 33
Answer
(4) 33
Solution
Each codon is a triplet ⇒ 999 bases = 333 codons.
Base 901 lies in codon number 901+23 = 301 (codon 301 = bases 901–903).
⇒ A deletion shifts the reading frame (frameshift) from that point onwards.
⇒ Codons 1 to 300 remain unchanged; codons 301 to 333 are altered.
∴ Number of altered codons = 333 - 300 = 33
Answer: (4)