Fewer different tRNA molecules exist than might have been expected for the complexity of its function. This is possible because
A) the third position of the codon does not have to pair conventionally.
B) the second position of the codon does not have to pair conventionally.
C) the anticodon does not have the conventional bases.
D) there are fewer amino acids than there are possible codons.
E) the code is degenerating.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third position of the codon does not have to pair conventionally, which means that one tRNA molecule can recognize multiple codons that differ only in the third position. This allows for fewer tRNA molecules to be needed for the same number of amino acids.

Fewer Different TRNA Molecules Exist Than Might Have Been Expected