Imagine that NASA discovered a prokaryote-like organism. Initial experiments indicated they use the same DNA → RNA → protein system as life on Earth, except that

there are only 2 bases (A and T) in the Martian DNA, and

there are only 17 amino acids found in Martian proteins.

Based on this information, what is the minimum size of a codon for these hypothetical organisms?

Question

Biology

Eduardo Novak

5 February, 10:11

Imagine that NASA discovered a prokaryote-like organism. Initial experiments indicated they use the same DNA → RNA → protein system as life on Earth, except that

there are only 2 bases (A and T) in the Martian DNA, and

there are only 17 amino acids found in Martian proteins.

Based on this information, what is the minimum size of a codon for these hypothetical organisms?

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Answers (1)

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Cameron Sparks · Answer 1

Imagine that NASA discovered a prokaryote-like organism. Initial experiments indicated they use the same DNA → RNA → protein system as life on Earth, except that

there are only 2 bases (A and T) in the Martian DNA, and

there are only 17 amino acids found in Martian proteins.

Based on this information, what is the minimum size of a codon for these hypothetical organisms?