Final answer:
The anticodon region and amino acid attachment site of tRNA are at opposite ends of the molecule, with the anticodon at the bottom and the amino acid attachment site at the top end.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the tertiary structure of transfer RNA (tRNA), the anticodon region and the site of amino acid attachment are not adjacent to each other. They are located at opposite ends of the tRNA molecule.
Amino Acid Attachment Site (3' End): The 3' end of the tRNA molecule contains the amino acid attachment site. This site has a sequence of three nucleotides known as the CCA sequence, and it serves as the binding site for the specific amino acid that corresponds to the tRNA.
Anticodon Region (Middle Loop): The anticodon region is located in a loop of the tRNA molecule, and it is typically found at or near the middle of the tRNA. The anticodon is a sequence of three nucleotides that is complementary to the codon sequence on mRNA during protein synthesis. This region is crucial for ensuring the accurate pairing of tRNA with the mRNA codon during translation.
The spatial separation of the amino acid attachment site and the anticodon region is a key feature of tRNA structure that allows the tRNA molecule to recognize and correctly pair with its corresponding amino acid and mRNA codon, contributing to the fidelity of protein synthesis. The overall L-shaped structure of tRNA results from the folding and interaction of its various regions, including the acceptor stem, D-arm, T-arm, and anticodon loop.