Mallomonas splendens Gene Analysis

This biology assignment focuses on the analysis of a gene from the organism Mallomonas splendens. Students are tasked with identifying key features of the gene, such as its nucleotide sequence, coding region, stop codon, and flanking sequences. They must also describe the function of the encoded protein and its role in the organism. The assignment requires students to interpret genetic information and apply their knowledge of molecular biology concepts.

Biology 1
BIOLOGY
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Biology 2
Question 1
The type of BLAST search chosen for this BLAST was nucleotide blast. The DNA sequence
provided for the purpose s of this assignment was of a nucleotide sequence.
Question 2
Name of the gene: splendens
Question 3
a) Organism from which the unknown sequence has been derived
Mallomonas splendens
b) Subgroup of the organism
Phylum Ochrophyta
Question 4
Full reference of the publication
Beech, P.L..S..V..G.R.a.M.I., 1999. Direct Submission. Sydney: School of Botany, University of
Melbourne.
Question 5
Number of nuclides in the coding sequence for this protein
498
Question 6
The STOP codon for the gene is TGA (Beech, 1999, p.1230)
Question 7
What we call the two sets of sequences that are downstream of the coding sequence in this
transcript of the gene in the question

Biology 3
Flanking and untranslated sequences
Question 8
State one function of one of the sets of sequences from Q7
Untranslated sequence-Forms the site of initiation of transcription
Question 9
How many amino acids are present in the entire protein that the unknown sequence encodes part
of?
Three nucleotides encode one amino acid in the sequence. Due to the presence of 64
combinations of 4 nucleotides which are taken three at a time, 20 amino acids will be produced
by the entire protein sequence (Association, 1992, p.897).
Question 10
Why the number of nucleotides that encode the protein is not exactly 3 times the number of
amino acids that are translated
Encoding of amino acid requires a minimum of three nucleotides, which are referred to as a
codon. A single codon encodes just one amino acid at a time hence three nucleotides are required
to encode one amino acid (Ohno, 2013, p.569).
Question 11
Description of the encoded protein

Biology 4
The unknown sequence of protein is for Mallomonas splendens Ftz mRNA. It is a nuclear gene
that encodes a protein of the mitochondria, complete cds (Biology, 1993, p.158). The unknown
protein is thus found in the mitochondria organelles of the organism. Among the organisms that
have this protein sequence include Eukaryota, Stramenopiles, Synurophyceae, Synurales,
Mallomonadaceae and Mallomonas species of organisms. The protein being found in the
mitochondria of the organism is thus fundamental in the facilitation of the processes of
respiration in the organism. The types of cells that use this protein are muscular cells, respiratory
cells and other cells involved with processes that are associated with the breakdown of glucose in
the body to release energy (Beech, 1999, p.256).

Biology 5
References
Association, A.M., 1992. Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 267, Issue 9.
Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 267, Issue 9, 267(9), p.1450.
Beech, P.L..S..V..G.R.a.M.I., 1999. Direct Submission. Sydney: School of Botany, University of
Melbourne.
Biology, A.S.f.C., 1993. The Journal of Cell Biology. The Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 2,
p.1711.
Ohno, S., 2013. Evolution by Gene Duplication. Evolution by Gene Duplication, 226(7), p.160.