Final answer:
There are 40 to 60 types of tRNA per cell to correspond with 20 different amino acids in proteins, which means that more than one tRNA can carry the same amino acid. This allows for the genetic code's redundancy, where several codons encode for the same amino acid, facilitating efficient and accurate protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are about 40 to 60 tRNA types per cell, but there are only 20 different amino acids in proteins, therefore some amino acids are carried by more than one tRNA. The exact number of tRNA varies depending on the species and the complexity of their cellular machinery. For example, eukaryotic cells typically have 40 to 50 different tRNAs, each designed to recognize specific mRNA codons and transport the correct amino acids during protein synthesis. As there are 64 possible codons and only 20 amino acids, multiple codons can specify the same amino acid, allowing several different tRNAs to carry the same amino acid. Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon that pairs with a codon on mRNA and an amino acid attachment site, signifying its specificity.
In summary, the redundancy in the genetic code, where several codons correspond to the same amino acid, is accommodated by having sufficient types of tRNA molecules, each capable of recognizing different codons through base pairing and wobble interactions. Some amino acids have multiple tRNAs recognizing different codons, which is crucial for the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis.