Question

During the elongation stage of translation, what ensures that the correct amino acid is placed in the sequence?

Options

• The size of the amino acid molecule

• The charge on the ribosomal surface

• Codon-anticodon pairing between the mRNA and tRNA

• The speed at which tRNA enters the A site

Answer 1

Codon-anticodon pairing ensures that the correct amino acid is placed in the sequence. The anticodon on the tRNA is complementary to the codon on mRNA. When the anticodon of an aminoacyl-tRNA binds to the codon on mRNA in the ribosomal A site, it guarantees that the correct amino acid is brought to the growing polypeptide chain.