Wobble position

Definition

The wobble position is the third nucleotide in a codon, which can undergo non-standard base pairing. This flexibility allows for the same tRNA to recognize multiple codons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The wobble position contributes to the redundancy of the genetic code.
2. It allows a single tRNA to pair with multiple codons that code for the same amino acid.
3. Wobble base pairing often involves guanine binding with uracil.
4. The concept of the wobble position was proposed by Francis Crick in 1966.
5. Wobble positions help reduce the number of tRNAs needed during translation.

Review Questions

Related terms

Codon:

A sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code.

tRNA:

Transfer RNA, which helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein.

Anticodon:

A sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a tRNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in mRNA.