Question

The human genome contains thousands of sequences known as small open reading frames, some of which encode proteins of about 30 amino acids. What is the minimum number of nucleotides required to encode such a protein?

Short answer

For proteins with roughly amino acids, a minimum of nucleotides are required.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

A genetic code helps to decipher the genetic information stored in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mRNA sequence into a protein and defines its amino acid sequence.

The building blocks of nucleic acids are nucleotides, which are ubiquitous chemicals. Codons are made up of three nucleotides that code for one amino acid.

Minimum number of nucleotides required to encode a protein

A codon, which is made up of three nucleotides, is used to encode an amino acid. As a result,$30\times 3=90$ nucleotides are required to encode proteins with around $\mathbf{30}$amino acids.

Thus, nucleotides are needed to code the various amino acids that are employed in protein coding