What is the anticodon on tRNA for each of the following codons in an mRNA?
c. GAA

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the relationship between codons in mRNA and anticodons in tRNA. Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that specify amino acids, while anticodons are complementary sequences of three nucleotides in tRNA that pair with the codons during translation.
2. Identify the given mRNA codon: GAA. This is the sequence that we need to find the complementary anticodon for.
3. Recall the base-pairing rules for RNA: Adenine (A) pairs with Uracil (U), Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G), and Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C).
4. Apply the base-pairing rules to determine the anticodon sequence. For the mRNA codon GAA, the complementary anticodon will be formed by pairing each nucleotide: G pairs with C, A pairs with U, and A pairs with U.
5. Write the anticodon sequence in the 5' to 3' direction, as tRNA anticodons are conventionally written in this orientation. Ensure the sequence is correctly derived based on the base-pairing rules.

Key Concepts

Codons and Anticodons

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid during protein synthesis. Each codon corresponds to a specific anticodon on tRNA, which is a complementary sequence of three nucleotides. This pairing is crucial for the accurate translation of genetic information into proteins.

Base Pairing Rules

Base pairing rules dictate how nucleotides pair with each other in DNA and RNA. In RNA, adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Understanding these rules is essential for determining the correct anticodon that pairs with a given mRNA codon.

tRNA Function

Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a critical role in translating mRNA into proteins by bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA molecule has a specific anticodon that matches a codon on the mRNA, ensuring that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation.