tRNA

• What does tRNA stand for?

  Transfer RNA
• What are the characteristics of tRNA?

  -short, single stranded molecule

  -forms a clover leaf shape
• What is the function of tRNA?

  Transports amino acids to the ribosome so that proteins can be synthesised in translation
• What is the structure of tRNA?

  -each tRNA molecule has an amino acid attachment site ending in CCA

  -at the opposite end of the molecule there is an anticodon (a triplet of bases)
• How does tRNA bind to mRNA in the ribosome?

  The anticodon bases form a complex with complementary bases on the mRNA molecule (codon).