Question

the illustration above shows a strand of mrna and the complementary trna molecules that can base pair with the mrna codons. what is the correct sequence of amino acids? lys - tyr - his lys - his - tyr his - tyr - lys tyr - lys - his

Explanation:

• In protein synthesis, tRNA anticodons pair with mRNA codons.
• The mRNA codon - tRNA anticodon pairing is based on complementary base pairing (A - U, G - C).
• Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid. The first tRNA has anticodon \( AAA \), which pairs with mRNA codon \( UUU \) (phenylalanine is not relevant here, but looking at the amino - acid - tRNA relation: if we consider the standard genetic code, for the tRNA anticodon \( AAA \), the mRNA codon is \( UUU \) which is not in our options. Wait, no, actually, the mRNA codons are read, and the tRNA anticodons are complementary. Let's assume the mRNA sequence (codons) is \( AAA - UAU - CAC \) (by base - pairing with tRNA anticodons \( UUU - AUA - GUG \) which is wrong. Wait, no, the tRNA anticodons are \( AAA\) (for lysine, because the mRNA codon for lysine is \( AAA\) or \( AAG\)), \( UAU\) (for tyrosine, mRNA codon \( AUA\) is isoleucine, no, wait, no, the tRNA anticodon \( UAU\) pairs with mRNA codon \( AUA\) (isoleucine) which is wrong. Wait, no, the correct approach: the tRNA anticodons are \( AAA\), \( UAU\), \( CAC\). The mRNA codons (since tRNA anticodon pairs with mRNA codon as \( A - U\) and \( G - C\)): for tRNA anticodon \( AAA\), mRNA codon is \( UUU\) (wrong for lysine, actually, the mRNA codon for lysine is \( AAA\) or \( AAG\), so tRNA anticodon for lysine is \( UUU\) or \( UUC\). Wait, no, reverse: mRNA codon \( AAA\) pairs with tRNA anticodon \( UUU\). But if we assume that the tRNA is bringing the amino - acid based on the standard genetic code. The tRNA with anticodon \( AAA\) (reads mRNA codon \( UUU\) which is wrong. Wait, no, confusion in notation. Let's use the standard genetic code table.
• tRNA anticodon \( AAA\) pairs with mRNA codon \( UUU\) (wrong for lysine. Wait, no, actually, the mRNA codon for lysine is \( AAA\) or \( AAG\), so tRNA anticodon is \( UUU\) or \( UUC\). But if we assume that in the figure, the tRNA anticodons are \( AAA\) (lysine, because mRNA codon \( UUU\) is phenylalanine, no, error in previous thought. Wait, no, the correct way: look at the tRNA - amino acid relation. The tRNA with anticodon \( AAA\) (reads mRNA codon \( UUU\) (wrong). Wait, no, actually, the genetic code is read as mRNA codons. The tRNA has an anticodon that is complementary to the mRNA codon. For example, if the tRNA anticodon is \( AAA\), the mRNA codon is \( UUU\) (phenylalanine). But if we consider that there is a mis - labeling (maybe the figure's tRNA anticodons are \( UUU\) (lysine, no, mRNA codon \( AAA\) is lysine). Wait, no, the mRNA codon \( AAA\) codes for lysine. So if the tRNA anticodon is \( UUU\), it pairs with mRNA codon \( AAA\) (lysine). Similarly, tRNA anticodon \( UAU\) pairs with mRNA codon \( AUA\) (isoleucine) which is wrong. Wait, no, another approach: use the standard amino - acid - mRNA codon table.
• mRNA codon \( AAA\) = lysine, \( UAU\)= tyrosine, \( CAC\)= histidine.

Answer:

lys - tyr - his