DNA/Codon probability question

[johndoe3344]

Homework Statement

A library of randomly synthesized duplex DNA strands (length = 6 bp) is generated.
What percentage of these sequences would you expect that the restriction enzyme BamH1 (restriction site = GGATCC) would recognize?
a. 0%
b. 0.02%
c. 0.48%
d. 0.07%

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I think that the answer is b, but I'm just looking for confirmation. My reasoning is that there are 4 possible codons, A,T,C,G and so the chance that a randomly synthesized DNA strand of exactly GGATCC would simply be (1/4)^6 or 0.02%

 

[Dick]

Seems fine to me.

 

[Blueshift5]

.

Your reasoning is correct. The probability of a randomly synthesized DNA strand of length 6 bp containing the restriction site GGATCC is indeed 0.02%, which is option b. This is because each base (A, T, C, G) has an equal probability of appearing at each position in the sequence, and the probability of a specific sequence of 6 bases occurring is the product of the individual probabilities for each base. Therefore, the percentage of sequences that would be recognized by BamH1 would be very low, making option b the correct answer.