Question

Which site of a tRNA molecule binds hydrogen bonds to an mRNA molecule?
A. Codon
B. Anticodon
C. 5’ end of the tRNA molecule
D. 3’ end of the tRNA molecule

Answer 1

Hint: A transfer RNA is an adaptor molecule composed of RNA that serves as the physical link between the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins.
tRNAs are a necessary component of translation, the biological synthesis of new proteins in accordance with the genetic code.

Complete answer: A structure of tRNA can be decomposed into its primary structure, its secondary structure (cloverleaf structure), and its tertiary structure.
1. tRNA is a type of RNA that is folded into a specific three-dimensional structure.
2. It carries and transfers an amino acid to the polypeptide chain that the ribosome is assembling. One end of the tRNA contains an anticodon.
3. An anticodon triplet sequence can form 3 complementary base pairs to one or more codons for an amino acid. Some anticodons pair with more than one codon due to wobble base pairing.
4. By binding its anticodon to the complementary mRNA codon, the tRNA acts as an adapter, bringing into position the correct amino acid that is needed for the polypeptide chain.
5. tRNA binds to codons in the mRNA because the complementary bases on the codon and anticodon are held together by hydrogen bonds.
6. Hydrogen bonds are weak bonds. Hydrogen bonds also hold together the nucleotides in DNA. The ribosome only allows the tRNA to bind to the mRNA if it is carrying an amino acid. Once the amino acid is added to the polypeptide chain, the binding is no longer favored.

So, the answer is B. Anticodon

Note: Translation is the process in which the cell’s genetic information is used to create proteins. The cell’s DNA is first transcribed in a temporary copy (mRNA), which is then translated into the amino acid sequence of a protein.