[Genetics] Probability Question
You have a single stand piece of RNA 106 nucleotides long, the bases are in the following proportions: 20%-A, 25%-C, 25%-U and 30%-G. How many times would you expect the sequence 5'-GUUA-3' (5' & 3' refer to one way, not reversed) to occur?
I have solved the probability of this sequence occurring in one 4 nucleotide sequence - (.3)(.25)(.25)*(.25) = 0.00375. Now there are (106)-3 spaces that this sequence could occur (cant show up if the starting G is on the 3rd to last or any later nucleotide). Do I just multiply these two values or do I have to account for the fact that if the GUUA sequence shows up, it cannot physically appear for the next 3 slots (these are taken up by the two U's and the A).
Posted Feb 25, 2016, 12:32 AM UTC
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