The clover-leaf structure of tRNA consists of how many arms or loops i...
The correct answer is Option B - Four
tRNA is a single-stranded RNA of about ~76 nucleotides that folds into a characteristic cloverleaf secondary structure composed of four arms or loops.
- Acceptor arm: formed by base-pairing of the 5′ and 3′ ends and terminating in the conserved 3′-CCA sequence where the amino acid is covalently attached.
- D-arm: contains dihydrouridine residues and helps in recognition by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
- Anticodon arm: contains the anticodon triplet that base-pairs with the mRNA codon during translation.
- TψC arm: contains the conserved TψC sequence (with pseudouridine, ψ) and participates in ribosome interaction.
There may also be a short variable loop (extra arm) in some tRNAs, but the canonical cloverleaf secondary structure is described by the four main arms listed above.
Therefore, the cloverleaf structure of tRNA consists of four arms including the acceptor arm.
The clover-leaf structure of tRNA consists of how many arms or loops i...
Understanding tRNA StructureThe transfer RNA (tRNA) is crucial for protein synthesis and has a distinctive clover-leaf structure. This structure consists of several loops or arms, each with specific functions.
Components of tRNAThe tRNA molecule is characterized by the following arms:
- Acceptor Arm: This is where the amino acid attaches. It is the 3' end of the tRNA molecule.
- Anticodon Arm: This arm contains the anticodon, which is complementary to the mRNA codon, allowing for the correct amino acid to be added during translation.
- DHU Arm: Named after the presence of dihydrouridine, this loop is involved in tRNA recognition by enzymes.
- Variable Arm: This is a flexible region that varies in length among different tRNAs, contributing to the diversity of tRNA molecules.
- TΨC Arm: Contains the sequence TΨC (where Ψ is pseudouridine), playing a role in the stability of the tRNA structure.
Total Arms in tRNAIn total, the clover-leaf structure of tRNA consists of
four distinct arms when including the acceptor arm. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option
B) Four.
Significance of Each ArmEach arm has a vital role:
- The acceptor arm is essential for amino acid attachment.
- The anticodon arm ensures proper translation of genetic code.
- Both the DHU and TΨC arms help stabilize the tRNA structure and facilitate interactions with ribosomes.
Understanding these components is essential for grasping the function of tRNA in protein synthesis, making it a fundamental topic in molecular biology and the NEET syllabus.