What is the role of transfer RNA (tRNA) during translation?

• A. To carry genetic instructions to ribosomes
• B. To transport amino acids to the ribosome
• C. To copy DNA into RNA
• D. To signal the start of protein synthesis

Answer: (B)

The role of transfer RNA (tRNA) during translation is primarily to transport amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA molecule is specific to one amino acid and has an anticodon that corresponds to the codon on the mRNA. During translation, the ribosome facilitates the pairing of the tRNA's anticodon with the appropriate codon on the mRNA, ensuring that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain. This process is crucial for synthesizing proteins according to the genetic instructions encoded in the messenger RNA (mRNA). The coupling of tRNA and amino acids is essential for the fidelity of protein synthesis, as it directly determines the sequence of amino acids in the resultant protein.