Textbook Question
Which amino acid(s) have the most codons?
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Ch.26 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
Chapter 26, Problem 26.68
What is the general shape and structure of a tRNA molecule?
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tRNA, or transfer RNA, is a type of RNA molecule that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein during the process of translation.
The general shape of a tRNA molecule is often described as a cloverleaf in two dimensions, due to its secondary structure formed by hydrogen bonding between complementary bases.
In three dimensions, tRNA adopts an L-shaped structure, which is crucial for its function in the ribosome during protein synthesis.
The tRNA molecule has several key regions: the acceptor stem, the TΨC loop, the anticodon loop, the D loop, and the variable loop.
The anticodon loop contains a sequence of three nucleotides that are complementary to the mRNA codon, allowing the tRNA to bring the correct amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
tRNA Structure
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a small RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It typically has a cloverleaf shape, consisting of three main loops and an acceptor stem. The structure allows tRNA to carry specific amino acids to the ribosome, where proteins are assembled, ensuring that the correct amino acid sequence is formed according to the mRNA template.
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Anticodon
The anticodon is a specific sequence of three nucleotides located on one of the loops of the tRNA molecule. It is complementary to the corresponding codon on the mRNA strand, allowing for the accurate pairing of tRNA with mRNA during translation. This interaction is essential for ensuring that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain.
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Amino Acid Attachment
Each tRNA molecule is linked to a specific amino acid at its acceptor stem, a process facilitated by enzymes known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. This attachment is crucial for the fidelity of protein synthesis, as it ensures that the correct amino acid is delivered to the ribosome in accordance with the mRNA codon. The accuracy of this process is vital for producing functional proteins.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Name the bases in the pentanucleotide with the sequence G-A-U-C-A. Does this come from RNA or DNA? Explain.
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Textbook Question
What tetrapeptide is synthesized from the informational DNA sequence G-T-C-A-G-T-A-C-G-T-T-A?
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Textbook Question
There are different tRNAs for each amino acid. What is one major way to differentiate among the tRNAs for each amino acid?
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Textbook Question
Insulin is synthesized as preproinsulin, which has 81 amino acids. How many heterocyclic bases must be present in the informational DNA strand to code for preproinsulin (assuming no introns are present)?
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Textbook Question
Suppose that 22% of the nucleotides of a DNA molecule are deoxyadenosine and during replication the relative amounts of available deoxynucleoside triphosphates are 22% dATP, 22% dCTP, 28% dGTP, and 28% dTTP. What deoxynucleoside triphosphate is limiting to the replication? Explain.
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