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An mRNA has the stop codon 5′ UAA 3′. What tRNA anticodon will bind to it?

a) AUU
b) UAU
c) TAA
d) UAA

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

No tRNA anticodon will bind to the stop codon 5' UAA 3' because stop codons signal the end of translation and do not code for amino acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

An mRNA molecule contains the stop codon 5' UAA 3'. This codon is one of the three stop codons that signals the termination of protein synthesis. Stop codons do not code for an amino acid and therefore, do not have a corresponding tRNA anticodon that would bind to them. During the translation process, when the ribosome encounters a stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA in mRNA), this signals the release factor to bind to the ribosome causing the release of the polypeptide chain.

As such, none of the provided options (a) AUU (b) UAU (c) TAA or (d) UAA represents a tRNA anticodon that would bind to a stop codon because tRNA molecules do not pair with stop codons. Therefore, no tRNA anticodon will bind to the stop codon 5' UAA 3' on an mRNA molecule.

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