Final answer:
A tRNA aligns amino acids for protein synthesis by pairing its three-nucleotide anticodon with the corresponding mRNA codon.
Step-by-step explanation:
A transfer RNA aligns its amino acid in the proper sequence by matching its specific three-nucleotide anticodon sequence to the corresponding codon on the messenger RNA. Transfer RNA (tRNA) serves as a crucial component in the synthesis of proteins, acting as an interpreter between the nucleotide language of RNA and the amino acid language of proteins. A tRNA molecule has a distinct structure with two important ends: one end carries the binding site for a specific amino acid, and the other end exhibits an anticodon.
This anticodon is a sequence of three bases that are complementary to the three-nucleotide codon sequence on the mRNA. During translation, the tRNA recognizes and binds to its complementary codon on the mRNA strand, thus positioning its amino acid for addition to the growing polypeptide chain. This precise alignment ensures that the amino acids are added in the correct order, facilitating the accurate assembly of the protein. For instance, the anticodon sequence UAC on a tRNA molecule will pair with the mRNA codon AUG for methionine, signifying the start of protein synthesis.