Question

Martinez (1984) made a list of possible double-stranded regions, and these regions were then given weights in proportion to their equilibrium constants, calculated by ______

(a) the Boltzmann function [exp (-∆G/RT2)]

(b) the Boltzmann function [exp (-∆G/RT)]

(c) the Boltzmann function [exp (-∆G/RT -T)]

(d) the Boltzmann function [exp (∆G/RT)]

This question was addressed to me during an online exam.

Question is from Limitations of Prediction topic in division RNA Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) the Boltzmann function [exp (-∆G/RT)]

For explanation: Here, the (-∆G) is the free energy of the regions, R is the gas constant, and T is the temperature. The RNA molecule is folded by a Monte Carlo method in which one initial region is chosen at random from a weighted pool, similar to the method used in Gibbs sampling.