anticodon
Definition
An anticodon is a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule, complementary to a codon in messenger RNA (mRNA). It plays a crucial role in the protein synthesis process by ensuring that amino acids are added in the correct sequence.
Analogy
Imagine a lock and key system, where the mRNA codon is the lock and the tRNA anticodon is the key. Just as the right key opens a specific lock, an anticodon pairs with its matching codon to bring the correct amino acid into place during protein synthesis.
Related terms
Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.
Transfer RNA (tRNA): A type of RNA molecule that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins by transporting specific amino acids to the ribosome.
Messenger RNA (mRNA): A form of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it specifies the amino acid sequence of the protein products of gene expression
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