Which RNA molecule transports amino acids to the ribosome during translation?

Which RNA molecule transports amino acids to the ribosome during translation?

• A. tRNA
• B. mRNA
• C. rRNA
• D. siRNA

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how amino acids are brought to the ribosome during translation: the molecule that carries each amino acid is transfer RNA. Each tRNA matches a specific amino acid to a codon on the mRNA through its anticodon, ensuring the amino acids are added in the correct order to build the protein. Before translation, amino acids are attached to their corresponding tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, forming aminoacyl-tRNA. The ribosome then uses these charged tRNAs to assemble the polypeptide chain, catalyzing peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids. mRNA, on the other hand, provides the genetic code—the sequence of codons that dictates which amino acids are needed. rRNA is a component of the ribosome itself, helping structure and catalyze peptide bond formation but not delivering amino acids. siRNA is involved in regulating gene expression by guiding silencing complexes to target mRNA, not transporting amino acids.

The key idea is how amino acids are brought to the ribosome during translation: the molecule that carries each amino acid is transfer RNA. Each tRNA matches a specific amino acid to a codon on the mRNA through its anticodon, ensuring the amino acids are added in the correct order to build the protein. Before translation, amino acids are attached to their corresponding tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, forming aminoacyl-tRNA. The ribosome then uses these charged tRNAs to assemble the polypeptide chain, catalyzing peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids.

mRNA, on the other hand, provides the genetic code—the sequence of codons that dictates which amino acids are needed. rRNA is a component of the ribosome itself, helping structure and catalyze peptide bond formation but not delivering amino acids. siRNA is involved in regulating gene expression by guiding silencing complexes to target mRNA, not transporting amino acids.