The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: RNA - Transfer - "The Anticodons"

Another type of RNA that plays an essential role in protein synthesis is called transfer RNA because it transfers amino acid molecules to protein molecules as the protein is synthesized. Each type of transfer RNA combines specifically with one of the amino acids that are to be incorporated into proteins. The transfer RNA then acts as a carrier to transfer its specific type of amino acid to ribosomes, where protein molecules are forming. In ribosomes each specific type of transfer RNA recognizes a particular codon on the messenger RNA,  as is described subsequently, and thereby delivers the appropriate amino acid to the approximate place in the chain of newly forming molecule.

Transfer RNA, containing only about 80 nucleotides, is a relatively small molecule in comparison with messenger RNA. Since the function of transfer RNA is to cause attachment of a specific amino acid to a forming protein chain, it is essential that each type of transfer RNA also have specificity for a particular codon in the messenger RNA. The specific code in the transfer RNA that allows it to recognize a specific codon is again a triplet of necleotide bases and is called an anticodon. This is located approximately in the middle of transfer RNA molecule at the bottom of the cloverleaf configuration illustrated in fig. 33. Deming formation of a protein molecule, the anticodon bases combine loosely by hydron bonding with the codon bases of the messenger RNA. In this way the respective amino acids are lined up one after another along the messenger RNA chain, thus establishing the appropriate sequence of amino acids in the protein molecule.