Which molecule carries amino acids during translation?

• A. mRNA
• B. Ribosome
• C. tRNA
• D. Amino acid

Answer: (C)

During translation, the molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome is transfer RNA. Each tRNA has an anticodon that pairs with a complementary codon on the mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is added for each step of the sequence. The amino acid is loaded onto the tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, attaching to the tRNA’s 3' CCA tail to form aminoacyl-tRNA. The ribosome then catalyzes peptide bond formation between the growing polypeptide and the incoming amino acid carried by the tRNA in the A site, extending the chain. The mRNA provides the coded instruction, but it does not carry amino acids, and the ribosome acts as the machinery that builds the protein rather than as the carrier of amino acids.