Final answer:
An anticodon is a three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that is complementary to an mRNA codon. It plays a key role in protein synthesis by ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the protein chain as indicated by the mRNA molecule. The tRNA molecule with the specific anticodon sequence carries the corresponding amino acid to the synthesis machinery.
Step-by-step explanation:
An anticodon is indeed D) a three-nucleotide series on tRNA that is complementary to the mRNA to which it binds. tRNA is involved in the process of protein synthesis within cells. Its role is to carry an amino acid to the protein synthesis machinery of the cell as commanded by the mRNA. The anticodon is the part of tRNA that binds to the specific codon of the mRNA molecule.
For example, let's say we have an mRNA codon sequence GCA. This codon will pair with a tRNA that has a complementary anticodon sequence, in this case, it would be UGC. This specific tRNA molecule will carry the amino acid alanine. Each of the 64 possible mRNA codons specifies the addition of a single amino acid or the termination of protein synthesis.
In conclusion, the anticodon is a crucial part of the protein synthesis process as it ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the growing peptide chain at the right position, as indicated by the mRNA molecule.
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