Question

What does the image below represent?
5’--------GAATTC---------3’
3’--------CTTAAG---------5’
a) Replication
b) Deletion mutation
c) Start codon at 5’ end
d) Palindromic sequence
[1 mark]

Answer 1

The correct option is (d):

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The DNA sequence which reads the same on the two strands from the two sides are called palindromic sequences.
   
2. They are named after palindromes in English, which are the words that read the same from two sides, like WOW.
   

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option (a):

1. ​Replication is the process of producing an exact copy of the DNA molecule that is present in the cell or the system.
   
2. It is the process of generation of new DNA sequence from an old copy.
   

Option (b):

1. If a part of the DNA sequence is deleted, it is called the deletion mutation.
   
2. Due to deletion mutation, certain genes turn out to be non-functional.
   

Option (c):

1. ​The start codon present towards the 5' end of the mRNA molecule is AUG.
   
2. The start codon is the region from where translation starts and this codon codes for the amino acid methionine.
   

Final Answer: The image represents a palindromic sequence.