Final answer:
The tertiary structure of tRNA involves a three-dimensional, L-shaped folding driven by intramolecular base pairing, positioning the amino acid binding site and anticodon at opposite ends of the molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tertiary structure of a tRNA molecule can be described as the three-dimensional folding that results from intramolecular base pairing and hydrogen bonding. This complex structure is often referred to as the "L-shape" appearance in 3D space, with the tRNA's secondary structure resembling a "cloverleaf" pattern, due to the helical stem and loop regions formed by canonical Watson-Crick and GU base pairings. The final 3D structure positions the amino acid binding site at one end of the molecule and the anticodon at the other, enabling the tRNA to deliver specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.