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

Each tRNA anticodon can base pair with one of the mRNA codons and add an amino acid or terminate translation, according to the genetic code.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Figure 15.17 Translation begins when an initiator tRNA anticodon recognizes a codon on mRNA.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

A tRNA is chemically modified so that the amino acid bound is different than the one specified by its anticodon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The anticodons on tRNA are complementary to the codons on mRNA; for example, the anticodon AAA on tRNA corresponds to TTT on mRNA.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

This sequence of three bases on the tRNA molecule is called an anticodon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013