Question

The problem of dynamic programming to select one single structure can be complemented by adding a probability distribution function, known as the _________ which calculates a mathematical distribution of probable base pairs in thermodynamic equilibrium.

(a) partition function

(b) division function

(c) increment function

(d) fold function

This question was posed to me at a job interview.

Question is taken from Ab Initio Approach in chapter RNA Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) partition function

For explanation I would say: This function helps to select a number of suboptimal structures within a certain energy range. The MFOLD and RNAFold are two well-known programs using the ab initio prediction method.