There are 61 codons that each specify the addition of a specific amino acid, and three stop codons for which there is no corresponding amino acid. However, there are only about 40 tRNA molecules, representing 40 anticodons. How is that possible?
A) An anticodon forms hydrogen bonds with the codon; it must match the first two bases of the codon, but is less specific with respect to the third base.
B) Only about 40 of the recognized 61 codons are present in mRNA.
C) There are tRNAs that can bind one of two related amino acids.
D) Only 20 of the codons are active-one for each amino acid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as "wobble base pairing," where the anticodon of tRNA molecules can recognize more than one codon for an amino acid due to less strict base pairing rules at the third position of the codon. This allows a smaller number of tRNA molecules to recognize all 61 codons that code for amino acids.

There Are 61 Codons That Each Specify the Addition of a Specific