Francis Crick proposed the 'adaptor hypothesis' for the function of tRNA. Why did he choose that description?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: Francis Crick was trying to explain how the genetic code in DNA is translated into proteins, which are made up of amino acids.
2. Recognize the problem: DNA is composed of nucleotides, while proteins are composed of amino acids. There needs to be a mechanism to translate the nucleotide sequence into an amino acid sequence.
3. Identify the role of tRNA: Crick proposed that there must be an 'adaptor' molecule that can read the nucleotide sequence and bring the correct amino acid to the growing protein chain.
4. Explain the 'adaptor' concept: tRNA acts as this adaptor by having an anticodon region that pairs with the mRNA codon and an attached specific amino acid that corresponds to that codon.
5. Conclude why 'adaptor' is fitting: The term 'adaptor' is used because tRNA adapts the language of nucleic acids to the language of proteins, facilitating the translation process.

Key Concepts

Adaptor Hypothesis

The adaptor hypothesis, proposed by Francis Crick, suggests that transfer RNA (tRNA) serves as a molecular adaptor that translates the genetic code from nucleic acids to proteins. It posits that tRNA molecules bind to specific amino acids and recognize corresponding codons on messenger RNA (mRNA), facilitating the assembly of amino acids into polypeptide chains during protein synthesis.

tRNA Structure and Function

tRNA is a small RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in translating the genetic information encoded in mRNA into proteins. Each tRNA has a specific anticodon that pairs with a complementary codon on the mRNA strand, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain. The structure of tRNA, which includes a cloverleaf shape, is essential for its function in protein synthesis.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins. It consists of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids. Understanding the genetic code is vital for comprehending how tRNA and ribosomes work together to synthesize proteins, as it dictates the sequence in which amino acids are assembled.