Final answer:
The anticodon on a tRNA that pairs with the mRNA codon AUA would be UAU, following the rules of complementary base pairing in the genetic code.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the codon on the mRNA is AUA, the anticodon on a tRNA would read UAU. This is based on the principle of complementary base pairing in the genetic code, where adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U) and uracil (U) pairs with adenine (A). Therefore, each component of the mRNA codon AUA has a corresponding anticodon counterpart that would be UAU on the tRNA molecule. The role of tRNA is crucial in translating the language of RNA into the language of proteins by bringing the correct amino acid to the ribosome according to the mRNA codon sequence. The tRNA's anticodon recognizes and temporarily binds to the codon of mRNA during protein synthesis, contributing to the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide chain.