Question

What structural feature of tRNA was established to be called sRNA (soluble RNA) before its adapter role was understood?

Options

• Its ability to bind amino acids

• Its location in the nucleolus

• Its small size compared to rRNA

• Its soluble nature in the cytoplasm

Answer 1

tRNA was originally called sRNA (soluble RNA) because of its soluble nature in the cytoplasm, distinguishing it from ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). The designation 'transfer RNA' and recognition of its adapter role came later, after the genetic code was deciphered and its function in translation was elucidated.