Based on the complexity of tRNA's function, one might conclude that the number of different tRNA molecules that exist is surprisingly small.This discrepancy is possible because
A) the third position of the codon can pair with unusual bases in the anticodon.
B) the second position of the codon can pair with unusual bases in the anticodon.
C) the third position of the codon contains unusual bases.
D) there are fewer amino acids than there are possible codons.
E) the code is ambiguous.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discrepancy is possible because the third position of the codon (known as the "wobble" position) can pair with unusual bases in the anticodon of tRNA. This flexibility allows a smaller number of tRNA molecules to recognize multiple codons, each coding for the same amino acid, thus reducing the need for a one-to-one correspondence between the number of tRNAs and codons.

Based on the Complexity of TRNA's Function, One Might Conclude