The wobble hypothesis explains how a single tRNA can recognize more than one codon. According to this hypothesis, non-standard base pairing is permitted at which position of the codon-anticodon interaction?

• A First position of the codon (5' end)
• B Third position of the codon (3' end) ✓
• C Second position of the codon
• D First position of the anticodon (5' end)

Explanation

The wobble hypothesis states that standard Watson-Crick base pairing is required at the first two codon positions, but the third codon position (3' end of the codon, pairing with the 5' position of the anticodon) allows non-standard pairings such as G-U. This permits one tRNA to read multiple codons differing only at the third base, explaining the degeneracy of the genetic code.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.