What is the fundamental difference between a codon and an anticodon?

The fundamental difference between a codon and an anticodon revolves around their roles in the process of protein synthesis and how they interact with each other. A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence found on messenger RNA (mRNA) that specifies a particular amino acid, which serves as a building block for proteins. This sequence is crucial because the specific arrangement of nucleotides in a codon determines which amino acid will be added during translation, the process by which proteins are synthesized.

On the other hand, an anticodon is found on transfer RNA (tRNA) and is a complementary three-nucleotide sequence to the codon on the mRNA. The anticodon allows tRNA to match the correct amino acid to its corresponding codon during translation. The complementary nature of the codon and anticodon ensures that proteins are synthesized accurately according to the genetic code.

This relationship is central to the process of translation, making the distinction between the two even more critical, as it highlights how genetic information is translated into functional proteins.