Abnormal base in tRNA is
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the student's knowledge of the structure and function of transfer RNA (tRNA), a crucial molecule in protein synthesis. tRNA molecules have three main components: the acceptor stem, the D-arm, and the anticodon arm. The anticodon arm contains a unique base called inosine, which plays a vital role in recognizing codons on messenger RNA (mRNA).
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is inosine, which is an abnormal base found in tRNA. Inosine is a modified base that is formed from hypoxanthine, an intermediate in the purine salvage pathway. Inosine is unique because it can pair with both adenine and cytosine, allowing it to recognize a wide range of codons on mRNA. This is essential for the accurate translation of genetic information into proteins.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is likely to be a distractor representing a normal base found in tRNA, such as adenine, guanine, or cytosine. However, none of these bases are abnormal.
**Option B:** This option might represent a modified base found in tRNA, such as pseudouridine or dihydrouridine. While these bases are indeed modified, they are not the abnormal base in question.
**Option C:** This option could be a distractor representing a base found in DNA or RNA, but not in tRNA. For example, thymine is a base found in DNA, but not in tRNA.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to remember that the structure and function of tRNA are critical for accurate protein synthesis. Abnormalities in tRNA structure or function can lead to genetic disorders, such as tRNA synthetase deficiencies or mitochondrial myopathies.
**Correct Answer: D. Inosine**