SOLUTION: Codon worksheet answer key - Studypool - Free Printable

It looks like the table at the bottom of your worksheet is blurred or not visible, so I can't see the specific DNA triplets, mRNA codons, tRNA anticodons, or amino acids that need to be filled in. However, I can help you understand how to use the circular codon table and walk through the process step by step so you can complete the worksheet on your own.

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🔬 How to Use the Circular Codon Table

This circular codon chart shows mRNA codons (three-letter sequences) and the corresponding amino acids they code for. Here's how to interpret it:

#### 1. Understanding the Structure
- The center has A, U, C, G — these are the first nucleotide of the codon.
- The next ring has A, U, C, G again — this is the second nucleotide.
- The outermost ring shows the third nucleotide and the amino acid associated with each triplet.

To read a codon:
1. Start from the center with the first base (e.g., A).
2. Move outward to the second base (e.g., U).
3. Then to the third base (e.g., G).
4. The amino acid is written in the segment where the three bases converge.

> Example: For AUG → start at A (center), go to U (middle), then G (outer). You’ll find Methionine.

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🧬 Key Concepts

| Term | Explanation |
|------|-------------|
| DNA Triplet | Three nucleotides in DNA (e.g., TAC) |
| mRNA Codon | Transcribed from DNA (complementary, but with U instead of T) |
| tRNA Anticodon | Complementary to mRNA codon; brings the correct amino acid |
| Amino Acid | The protein building block coded by the codon |

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🔁 Conversion Rules

| DNA → mRNA | mRNA → tRNA | mRNA → Amino Acid |
|-----------|------------|-------------------|
| A → U | A → U | Use codon table |
| T → A | T → A | |
| C → G | C → G | |
| G → C | G → C | |

> Note: DNA uses T, mRNA uses U.

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✔ Step-by-Step Example

Let’s say one row in the table has:

| DNA Triplet | mRNA Codon | tRNA Anticodon | Amino Acid |
|-------------|------------|----------------|------------|
| TAC | ? | ? | ? |

#### Step 1: Find mRNA Codon
- DNA: TAC
- Transcribe to mRNA: AUG (A pairs with T, U replaces T, etc.)

#### Step 2: Use Codon Table
- Look up AUG → points to Methionine

#### Step 3: Find tRNA Anticodon
- tRNA anticodon is complementary to mRNA codon
- mRNA: AUG → tRNA: UAC

#### Final Answer:
| DNA Triplet | mRNA Codon | tRNA Anticodon | Amino Acid |
|-------------|------------|----------------|------------|
| TAC | AUG | UAC | Methionine |

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💡 Tips for Completing the Worksheet

1. Start with the given value (usually DNA triplet or amino acid).
2. Use the rules above to convert between DNA, mRNA, tRNA.
3. Use the circular chart to find the amino acid from the mRNA codon.
4. Remember:
- DNA → mRNA = Complementary, U instead of T
- mRNA → tRNA = Complementary
- tRNA anticodon binds to mRNA codon via base pairing.

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❓ What if only the amino acid is given?

Example: Amino acid = Leucine

- Leucine has multiple codons: UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, CUG
- Pick one (say, UUA)
- Reverse to get mRNA: UUA
- DNA triplet: ATG (since A→T, U→A, A→T)
- tRNA anticodon: AAG

So possible answer:
| DNA Triplet | mRNA Codon | tRNA Anticodon | Amino Acid |
|-------------|------------|----------------|------------|
| ATG | UUA | AAG | Leucine |

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⚠️ Important Notes

- Some amino acids have multiple codons (degeneracy of code).
- Stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) do not code for amino acids.
- Start codon is AUG → codes for Methionine.

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✔ Final Advice

Since the table is blurry, here’s what you should do:

1. Look at each row and identify what’s given (e.g., DNA triplet, amino acid, etc.)
2. Apply the conversion rules using the circular chart.
3. Fill in the missing values accordingly.

If you can type out the rows of the table (or describe them), I can help you complete each one step by step.

Would you like to provide the data from the table? I’d be happy to solve it fully!