Understanding the Role of the Anticodon: Key to Accurate Protein Synthesis

group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon

The group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon is called an anticodon

The group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon is called an anticodon.

To understand this process, it’s important to know that tRNA (transfer RNA) is a type of RNA molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Each tRNA molecule is specific for a particular amino acid.

mRNA (messenger RNA) is the RNA molecule that carries the genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome, where protein synthesis occurs. The mRNA molecule is read in sets of three bases called codons. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid or a signal to start or stop protein synthesis.

The anticodon on the tRNA molecule is a sequence of three bases that is complementary to a specific codon on the mRNA molecule. For example, if the mRNA codon is “AUG,” the corresponding tRNA anticodon would be “UAC.” The pairing of the anticodon with the codon is based on the rules of base pairing in nucleic acids: adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).

During protein synthesis, the tRNA molecule carrying the appropriate amino acid binds to the mRNA codon via base pairing between the anticodon and the codon. This ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain according to the instructions encoded in the mRNA molecule.

Overall, the complementary pairing between the three-base anticodon on tRNA and the corresponding codon on mRNA is crucial for accurate protein synthesis in the cell.

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