The anticodon on tRNA pairs with which RNA sequence during translation?

• A. The codon on mRNA
• B. The anticodon on tRNA
• C. The tRNA's own amino acid sequence
• D. The ribosomal RNA sequence

Answer: (A)

During translation, the codons in mRNA determine which amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide. The tRNA brings the correct amino acid by using its anticodon to pair with the codon on the mRNA in an antiparallel, complementary fashion. This base-taking involves standard Watson–Crick pairs (G–C and A–U, with occasional wobble at the third position), ensuring the correct amino acid is incorporated. The anticodon does not pair with another tRNA or with ribosomal RNA, and it’s not related to the tRNA’s own amino acid sequence. So the RNA sequence the anticodon pairs with is the codon on mRNA.