Which term describes RNA that delivers amino acids to the growing protein chain during synthesis?

• A. Messenger RNA
• B. Protein synthesis
• C. Sex chromosome
• D. Transfer RNA

Answer: (D)

During translation, the molecule that brings each amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain acts as an adaptor between the genetic code and the amino acids themselves. This RNA is transfer RNA. Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid and has an anticodon that pairs with the corresponding codon on the messenger RNA, ensuring the amino acids are added in the correct order. The amino acid is attached to the tRNA by an enzyme called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, forming an aminoacyl-tRNA. As the ribosome reads the mRNA, tRNAs deliver their amino acids step by step, and the ribosome links them together to form the protein. Messenger RNA, by contrast, provides the template sequence for the protein but does not deliver amino acids. Sex chromosomes are unrelated to this process.