Question

Differentiate between m-RNA and t-RNA.

Hint:

mRNA = code; tRNA = adapter with anticodon and amino acid attached.

Answer 1

Step 1: Role:
mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information copied from DNA (as a sequence of codons) to the ribosome for protein synthesis. tRNA (transfer RNA) acts as an adapter molecule that reads each codon and delivers the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome.

Step 2: Structure:
mRNA is typically a long, linear, single-stranded molecule with no fixed secondary structure. tRNA is much shorter (about 75-90 nucleotides) and folds into a characteristic clover-leaf secondary structure, with an anticodon loop that pairs with the mRNA codon and an acceptor end that binds a specific amino acid.

Final Answer:
mRNA carries the genetic message as codons; tRNA is the small, clover-leaf-shaped adapter that reads the codons and brings in the matching amino acids.