Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Codons and Anticodons
Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid during protein synthesis. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal. Anticodons are complementary sequences found on tRNA molecules that pair with the codons on mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain.
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Base Pairing Rules
Base pairing rules dictate how nucleotides pair with each other in DNA and RNA. In RNA, adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Understanding these rules is essential for determining the anticodon, as the tRNA must have a sequence that is complementary to the mRNA codon.
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tRNA Function in Translation
Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role in the translation phase of protein synthesis. Each tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid and has an anticodon that matches the corresponding codon on the mRNA. This matching process ensures that the correct amino acids are incorporated into the polypeptide chain, facilitating the synthesis of proteins based on the genetic code.
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Introduction to Translation Concept 1