During the process of translation, a triplet of nucleotides known as a codon, present on messenger RNA (mRNA), dictates the incorporation of a specific amino acid into a growing polypeptide chain. The molecule that recognizes this codon is transfer RNA (tRNA). Each tRNA molecule possesses a three-nucleotide sequence called an anticodon. This anticodon is complementary to the codon on the mRNA, enabling the tRNA to bind to the mRNA-ribosome complex and deliver its specific amino acid.
The interaction between the mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is fundamental to the fidelity of protein synthesis. This specific pairing ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the polypeptide chain, preventing errors in protein structure and function. The existence and functionality of this system were elucidated through decades of research, contributing significantly to the understanding of the molecular basis of inheritance and gene expression.
