Structure of mRNA & tRNA

Cards (9)

Which process synthesises mRNA molecules?
Transcription
What is the role of mRNA?
mRNA carries genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis
Describe the structure of mRNA molecules.
Single-stranded & linear
What is the role of tRNA?
tRNA transports amino acids to the ribosomes to build up a polypeptide chain.
Describe the structure of tRNA molecules.
Single-stranded molecules folded into a clover leaf shape which is held together by hydrogen bonds. They contain an anti-codon and an amino acid binding site.
What is an anticodon?
A sequence of three bases at one end of a tRNA molecule
What is a codon?
A sequence of 3 bases on mRNA that code for an amino acid
What are the similarities between mRNA and tRNA molecules?
Both are single-stranded
Both nucleotides contain a ribose sugar, phosphate group and nitrogenous bases
What are the differences between mRNA and tRNA molecules?
mRNA is linear, tRNA is clover shaped
mRNA is longer
tRNA contains hydrogen bonds, mRNA does not
tRNA contains an amino acid binding site, mRNA does not
mRNA contains codons, tRNA contains anticodons