Final answer:
tRNA is an adapter molecule that reads mRNA and transfers amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
tRNA, or transfer RNA, plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It acts as an adapter molecule that reads the information encoded in mRNA and transfers the appropriate amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain. Each tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid and has an anticodon that is complementary to the codon on mRNA, allowing it to recognize and bind to the correct codon. This ensures that the amino acids are assembled in the correct order during translation, resulting in the formation of a functional protein.