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Which of the following is true of a stop codon?

A stop codon adds a poly-A tail to a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

A stop codon starts translation with methionine.

A stop codon signals the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) to bind to the ribosome during the initiation phase of translation.

A stop codon binds to release factors to end protein synthesis.

1 answer

The correct statement is:

A stop codon binds to release factors to end protein synthesis.

Stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) do not encode amino acids but instead signal the termination of translation. When a ribosome encounters a stop codon during protein synthesis, release factors bind to the ribosome, prompting the release of the newly synthesized polypeptide chain. The other options mentioned do not accurately describe the function of stop codons.