What is the anticodon on tRNA for each of the following codons in an mRNA?


c. GAA

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the mRNA codon given in the problem, which is GAA.
2. Recall that during translation, tRNA molecules have anticodons that are complementary to mRNA codons.
3. Determine the complementary bases for each nucleotide in the mRNA codon: G pairs with C, A pairs with U.
4. Write the anticodon by replacing each base in the mRNA codon with its complementary base: C for G, U for A, and U for A.
5. The anticodon on the tRNA for the mRNA codon GAA is CUU.

Key Concepts

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 anticodon on tRNA, which is a complementary sequence of three nucleotides. This pairing is crucial for the accurate translation of genetic information into proteins.

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 correct anticodon that pairs with a given mRNA codon.

tRNA Function

Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a critical role in translating mRNA into proteins by bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA molecule has a specific anticodon that matches a codon on the mRNA, ensuring that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation.