Chapter 14, Problem 14.48P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A strand of nucleic acid is defined by its sequence of nucleotides: A, C, T, and G. How many different sequences are possible for a nucleotide that is $200$ nucleotides long, is to be determined. How does the calculated number compare to estimated number, approximately ${10}^{80}$, is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Nucleic acid is a long chain of nucleotides. A strand of nucleic acid is defined by its sequence of nucleotides: A, C, T, and G. In the nucleic acid, nucleotide A, T and G, C are paired to each other. There are four possibilities of the first nucleotide and four possibilities of second nucleotide. The number of nucleotide can be calculated using ${\text{4}}^{\text{n nucleotide}}$ (n = number of nucleotides).