What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

tRNA, or transfer RNA, plays a crucial role in protein synthesis by carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome.

In the process of protein synthesis, tRNA acts as a bridge between the mRNA (messenger RNA) and the amino acids. Each tRNA molecule is specific to one amino acid and carries an anticodon, a sequence of three nucleotides that is complementary to the codon for the same amino acid on the mRNA.

The process begins in the nucleus, where the DNA's genetic information is transcribed into mRNA. This mRNA then moves out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, where it attaches to a ribosome. The ribosome reads the mRNA's codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides that correspond to specific amino acids.

This is where tRNA comes into play. Each tRNA molecule, carrying a specific amino acid, recognises and binds to its corresponding codon on the mRNA. The ribosome then links these amino acids together in the order specified by the mRNA, creating a polypeptide chain. This chain will eventually fold into a functional protein.

In essence, tRNA's role in protein synthesis is to ensure that the correct amino acids are used in the correct order to build the protein as specified by the DNA's genetic code. Without tRNA, the ribosome would not be able to interpret the mRNA's codons, and protein synthesis could not occur. Therefore, tRNA is a vital component in the process of protein synthesis.