Question

5. A particular anticodon is 5'-AGC-3'. The codon that is a precise complementary base pair match for this is 5'-AGU-3'. However, this anticodon can also bind to the codon 5'-GCU-3'. Both codons specify the amino acid serine. 3'-UCG-5' anticodon 3'-UCG-5' 5'-AGC-3' codon 5'-AGU-3' How can this one anticodon bind to two different codons?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Wobble Hypothesis given by Francis Harry Compton Crick states that 3rd base of mRNA codon can base pair with 1st base of a tRNA anticodon undergoing non-Watson-Crick.

The first 2 bases of the mRNA codon form Hydrogen bonds with the corresponding bases on tRNA anticodon in Watson-Crick manner. Through this, they only form the base pairs with the complimentary bases. However, formation of the Hydrogen bonds between 3rd base on codon and 1st base on anticodon can occur potentially in non-Watson-Crick manner.  

Thus, the Wobble Hypothesis explains that why the multiple codons can code for single amino acid.