What is anticodon?

Hint: The basis of inheritance is genetic information passed down from parent to offspring. The replication of DNA is the first step, followed by transcription and translation. The genetic information stored in the DNA is copied into another form of RNA during transcription. The complementary base pairs of the two nucleic acids govern the entire process. However, the latter process of transformation translation is not controlled by complementary but by the genetic code.

Complete answer:
The genetic code contains all of the information about the protein that is made from RNA. It is the sequence of amino acid base pairs that codes for protein synthesis. As a result, changes in this sequence can affect the formation of amino acids. Scientists faced a significant challenge in decoding the genetic code.

A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis. DNA and RNA molecules are written in a four-nucleotide language, whereas proteins are written in a 20-amino acid language. The key that allows these two languages to be translated into each other is provided by codons. Each codon represents a single amino acid.

An anticodon is a trinucleotide sequence that is complementary to the sequence of a corresponding codon in a messenger RNA (mRNA). An anticodon is a sequence of letters found at one end of a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule. When an amino acid is added to the growing protein during protein synthesis, a tRNA forms base pairs with its complementary sequence on the mRNA molecule, ensuring that the correct amino acid is inserted into the protein.

Based on the instructions carried in mRNA, anticodons bring together the correct amino acids to form a protein.Each tRNA transports one amino acid and contains one anticodon. When the anticodon successfully binds to an mRNA codon, the cellular machinery recognizes that the correct amino acid is present and ready to be added to the growing protein.

Anticodons are required to finish the process of converting information stored in DNA into functional proteins that a cell can use to carry out its life functions.

Note: The anticodon of any one tRNA fits perfectly into the mRNA codon that codes for the amino acid attached to that tRNA; for example, the anticodon AAA will bind to the mRNA codon UUU, which codes for the amino acid phenylalanine.