An anticodon is a short three‑base sequence of RNA found on transfer RNA (tRNA) that pairs with a complementary three‑base codon on messenger RNA (mRNA) during protein synthesis. Anticodons are located in the anticodon loop near one end of the folded tRNA molecule, which sits inside the ribosome during translation.

What is an anticodon?

  • An anticodon is a trinucleotide (three‑nucleotide) sequence on tRNA that recognizes a specific codon on mRNA by complementary base pairing.
  • This pairing helps ensure that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation.

Where anticodons are located

  • Each anticodon sits on the anticodon loop, roughly in the middle of the tRNA’s linear sequence but at one end of its cloverleaf‑shaped 3D structure.
  • Functionally, anticodons are positioned in the ribosome’s decoding site, where tRNA anticodons and mRNA codons match during protein synthesis.

In short, anticodons live on tRNA, in the anticodon loop, and meet mRNA codons inside the ribosome to “translate” genetic code into amino acids.

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