Final answer:
The role of aminoacyl tRNA synthetase is to charge tRNA molecules with their correct amino acids, ensuring the accuracy of protein synthesis during translation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of aminoacyl tRNA synthetase is to charge tRNA with an amino acid. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase is a crucial enzyme in the process of protein synthesis. These enzymes ensure that each tRNA molecule is loaded with the correct amino acid, a process referred to as 'charging'. This is achieved through a two-step mechanism. First, the enzyme binds and hydrolyzes ATP, linking an amino acid to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and releasing a pyrophosphate molecule.
Subsequently, the activated amino acid is transferred to the tRNA, and AMP is released. There is at least one specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase for each of the 20 different amino acids found in proteins, reflecting the accuracy demanded by the translation process. Charged tRNA molecules are then ready to participate in the elongation phase of protein synthesis on the ribosome, where they will contribute their amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain.