1. What is tRNA?

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein. tRNAs function at specific sites in the ribosome during translation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator follows these steps:

Where complement is:

• A ↔ U
• C ↔ G

Example: DNA "ATGC" becomes mRNA "AUGC" which produces tRNA "UACG"

3. Importance of tRNA in Protein Synthesis

Details: tRNA molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome where they are matched with the mRNA codon to build proteins. Each tRNA has an anticodon that is complementary to the mRNA codon.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter a valid DNA sequence (only A, T, G, C characters). The calculator will show both the mRNA sequence (T→U conversion) and the complementary tRNA sequence.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does tRNA have a complementary sequence to mRNA?
A: The tRNA anticodon must bind to the mRNA codon through complementary base pairing to ensure the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain.

Q2: What's the difference between DNA, mRNA and tRNA?
A: DNA stores genetic information, mRNA carries the protein code from DNA to ribosomes, and tRNA translates the mRNA code into amino acids.

Q3: How many tRNA molecules are there?
A: There are typically 20 different tRNA molecules, one for each amino acid, though some tRNAs can recognize multiple codons.

Q4: Why does mRNA use U instead of T?
A: RNA uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) because it's more stable for single-stranded molecules and allows for greater chemical diversity.

Q5: What happens if there's a mutation in the DNA sequence?
A: Mutations in DNA will be reflected in mRNA and may lead to different tRNA binding, potentially causing incorrect amino acids in the protein.