What is the difference between a codon and an anticodon?

What is the difference between a codon and an anticodon?

• A. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA; an anticodon is the complementary three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA
• B. Codon is on mRNA; anticodon on tRNA
• C. Codon and anticodon are identical sequences
• D. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA; an anticodon is the complementary three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA

Answer: (D)

In translation, the two are intimately linked but occupy different molecules. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that specifies which amino acid will be added next. The anticodon is the three-nucleotide sequence on transfer RNA that is complementary to that codon and binds to it through base pairing in the ribosome. Because they are complementary and oriented in opposite directions, the anticodon can correctly recognize the codon to bring the right amino acid into place. For example, the mRNA codon AUG codes for methionine and pairs with the tRNA anticodon UAC, which carries methionine. So the codon lives on mRNA; the anticodon lives on tRNA, and they are complementary, not identical.

In translation, the two are intimately linked but occupy different molecules. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that specifies which amino acid will be added next. The anticodon is the three-nucleotide sequence on transfer RNA that is complementary to that codon and binds to it through base pairing in the ribosome. Because they are complementary and oriented in opposite directions, the anticodon can correctly recognize the codon to bring the right amino acid into place. For example, the mRNA codon AUG codes for methionine and pairs with the tRNA anticodon UAC, which carries methionine. So the codon lives on mRNA; the anticodon lives on tRNA, and they are complementary, not identical.