Anticodon

Definition

An anticodon is a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule, complementary to a codon in messenger RNA (mRNA). It plays a crucial role in the protein synthesis process by ensuring that amino acids are added in the correct sequence.

Related terms

Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

Transfer RNA (tRNA): A type of RNA molecule that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins by transporting specific amino acids to the ribosome.

Messenger RNA (mRNA): A form of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it specifies the amino acid sequence of the protein products of gene expression