This model-building activity provides a quick, visual, hands-on tool that allows students to examine more carefully the cloverleaf structure of a typical tRNA molecule. When used as a supplement to lessons that involve gene expression, this exercise reinforces several concepts in molecular genetics, including nucleotide base-pairing rules, the importance of molecular shape, the consequences of genetic mutation, and similarities and differences between DNA and RNA.

Keywords:
tRNA, gene expression, translation, RNA conformation, molecular shape
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2013
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