anticodon

American  

[an-tee-koh-don, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈkoʊ dɒn, ˌæn taɪ- /

noun

Genetics.

1. a sequence of three nucleotides in a region of transfer RNA that recognizes a complementary coding triplet of nucleotides in messenger RNA during translation by the ribosomes in protein biosynthesis.

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anticodon Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-kō′dŏn,ăn′tī- /

1. A sequence of three adjacent nucleotides in transfer RNA that binds to a corresponding codon in messenger RNA and designates a specific amino acid during protein synthesis.

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Etymology

Origin of anticodon

First recorded in 1960–65; anti- + codon

Compare meaning

How does anticodon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• codon vs. anticodon

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anticodon

The anticodon will lose the specificity for the tRNA molecule.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

A tRNA molecule often is depicted as a cloverleaf, with an anticodon on one end, and the amino acid attachment site at the other.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Which codon in the mRNA would the tRNA recognize: the one specified by its anticodon or the one that matches the modified amino acid it carries?

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Each anticodon is complementary to a codon on mRNA.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2018

The tRNA molecule then releases the mRNA strand, the mRNA strand shifts one codon over in the ribosome, and the next appropriate tRNA arrives with its matching anticodon.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013