Microbiology

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Transfer RNA (tRNA)

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Microbiology

Definition

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins. It carries amino acids to the ribosome, matching them with the appropriate codons on the mRNA strand during translation.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. tRNA molecules have a characteristic cloverleaf structure with three hairpin loops.
  2. Each tRNA has an anticodon region that is complementary to an mRNA codon.
  3. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes attach specific amino acids to their corresponding tRNAs.
  4. The tRNA's 3' end attaches to an amino acid, forming an aminoacyl-tRNA complex.
  5. There are at least 20 different types of tRNAs, one for each amino acid.

Review Questions

  • What role does tRNA play in protein synthesis?
  • How does the anticodon region of a tRNA molecule function during translation?
  • What is the significance of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in the process involving tRNAs?
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