tRNA

• tRNA structure:

  • Single-stranded molecule

  
• tRNA Structure:

  • Has a sugar-phosphate backbone

  
• tRNA Structure:

  • Is folded into a clover-leaf shape
  • There are hydrogen bonds between some of the complementary bases

  
• tRNA Structure:

  • Has one end of the single-stranded chain extending beyond the other
  • This is the part of the tRNA molecule to which an amino acid can easily attach

  
• tRNA Structure:

  • Amino acids bind to a specific region of the molecule

  
• tRNA Structure:

  • At the opposite end of the tRNA molecule is a sequence of three other organic bases, known as the anticodon
  • The specific anticodon found on the tRNA molecule is complementary to a specific codon on an mRNA molecule

  
• tRNA - Carries amino acids to the ribosomes to be used in protein synthesis

  • By matching amino acids with the appropriate codons in mRNA
• How tRNA's structure is suited to its function:

  • With its end chain for attaching amino acids
  • With its anticodon for complementary base pairing with the codon of the mRNA
  • It can line up amino acids on the mRNA template during protein synthesis
• tRNA Structure:

  • It has an amino acid binding site - three exposed bases
• tRNA Structure:

  • It has an anticodon binding site - A series f three bases which are complementary to the codon on the mRNA which codes for the amino acid the tRNA molecule carries