What is the function of tRNA?

What is the function of tRNA?

• A. It binds amino acids and helps assemble the ribosome
• B. It copies DNA into RNA
• C. It forms the core of the ribosome
• D. It reads the mRNA message, gathers the correct amino acids, and transports them to the ribosome

Answer: (D)

During translation, tRNA serves as the adaptor that translates the genetic code into a protein. It recognizes each mRNA codon through its anticodon and carries the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome. The correct amino acid is attached to tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, ensuring accuracy. At the ribosome, the anticodon–codon pairing guides the addition of the amino acid to the growing polypeptide, forming peptide bonds between successive amino acids. This role is distinct from transcription (copying DNA into RNA) and from the ribosome’s structural core, which is formed mainly by rRNA and proteins. So tRNA’s job is to deliver the right amino acids to the ribosome in response to the mRNA sequence.

During translation, tRNA serves as the adaptor that translates the genetic code into a protein. It recognizes each mRNA codon through its anticodon and carries the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome. The correct amino acid is attached to tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, ensuring accuracy. At the ribosome, the anticodon–codon pairing guides the addition of the amino acid to the growing polypeptide, forming peptide bonds between successive amino acids. This role is distinct from transcription (copying DNA into RNA) and from the ribosome’s structural core, which is formed mainly by rRNA and proteins. So tRNA’s job is to deliver the right amino acids to the ribosome in response to the mRNA sequence.