What is an anticodon?

What is an anticodon?

• A. On mRNA, the start codon
• B. On rRNA, the anticodon matches tRNA
• C. On DNA, a triplet that codes for an amino acid
• D. On a tRNA molecule, a sequence of three nucleotides complementary to a codon on mRNA

Answer: (D)

An anticodon is a trio of nucleotides on a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule that is complementary to a codon on messenger RNA (mRNA). During translation, this pairing ensures the tRNA brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome so the growing protein sequence is built accurately. The anticodon is located on the tRNA and is oriented antiparallel to the codon on mRNA, not on mRNA itself, nor on rRNA or DNA. The start codon, by contrast, is a specific codon on mRNA (usually AUG) that signals where translation begins, not the anticodon itself.

An anticodon is a trio of nucleotides on a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule that is complementary to a codon on messenger RNA (mRNA). During translation, this pairing ensures the tRNA brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome so the growing protein sequence is built accurately. The anticodon is located on the tRNA and is oriented antiparallel to the codon on mRNA, not on mRNA itself, nor on rRNA or DNA. The start codon, by contrast, is a specific codon on mRNA (usually AUG) that signals where translation begins, not the anticodon itself.