Question

Ab initio approach makes structural predictions based on ______

(a) a single RNA sequence

(b) comparing RNA sequences

(c) evolutionary basis

(d) pure phylogenetics

This question was addressed to me in an online quiz.

Question is from RNA Secondary Structure Prediction Methods in division RNA Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

(a) a single RNA sequence

The ab initio approach for RNA secondary structure prediction relies solely on the sequence of the RNA itself, without using any evolutionary or comparative data. It makes predictions about the RNA's secondary structure based on the thermodynamic properties of the nucleotides and their interactions within the RNA sequence.