1 Studies of existing cells to determine the minimum number

1) Studies of existing cells to determine the minimum number of genes for a living cell have suggested that 206 genes are sufficient. If the ratio of protein-coding genes is the same in this minimal organism as the genes of Staphylococcus epidermidis (0.409), how many proteins are represented in these 206 genes?

2) The Staphylococcus epidermidis genome contains 5496 genes and 2528530 base pairs. How many base pairs would be required to form the genome of this minimal organism if the genes are the same size as Staphylococcus epidermidis genes?

Solution

answer 1) Since the question describes the ratio of genes available to protein coding genes as 0.409, we will simply use this ratio to get the protein coding genes out of the 206 genes.

the calculation would be 0.409* 206 = 84.254 or 84 genes that would be protein coding out of the given 206 genes in this minimal organism. these 84 genes can give rise to 84 proteins.