Analysis of a bacterial gene indicates that 24% of the nucleotides in the coding strand contain the base A, 18% contain the base T, 26% contain the base G, and 32% contain the base C. What percent of the nucleotides in the mRNA transcribed from this gene will contain the base U? (Enter your answer as a number only without the percent sign, e.g. enter 5 not 5%.)
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
18
Clarify Question
•What is the key concept addressed by the question?
o This question addresses DNA and RNA.
• What type of thinking is required?
o This question is asking you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
•What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
o The coding strand is the strand of a gene that matches the resulting mRNA which is transcribed directly off of the template strand.
Gather Content
• What do you already know about DNA and RNA?
o DNA uses the bases A, T, C, and G. RNA uses A, U, C, and G.o mRNA is transcribed directly off of the template strand. This results in an mRNA that matches the sequence of the coding strand - except that T is replaced with U.
Consider Possibilities
• What other information is related to the question? Which information is most useful?
o Since the mRNA matches the coding strand, we can expect the same percentages in the mRNA.
Choose Answer
• Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
o In the coding strand, there is 18% T. The mRNA will be similar, but use U instead of T.
o Therefore the mRNA will have 18% U.
Reflect on Process
•Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
o This question asked you to determine the % of U in an mRNA based on the coding strand of the gene.
o The question required you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
o Did you recognize that the mRNA will match the coding strand's sequence?
o Did you remember that U replaces T in RNA?
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