Which component is primarily responsible for carrying amino acids during translation?

The component that is primarily responsible for carrying amino acids during translation is transfer RNA (tRNA). tRNA serves as the adapter molecule that interprets the information coded in messenger RNA (mRNA) and brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA molecule has a specific three-nucleotide sequence, known as an anticodon, that pairs with the complementary codon on the mRNA strand. This pairing ensures that the correct amino acid, which is attached to the tRNA, is added to the growing polypeptide chain at the ribosome during protein synthesis.

In this process, mRNA provides the sequence of codons that dictate the order of amino acids in the protein, while ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a structural and functional component of the ribosome itself, facilitating the translation process. DNA is not directly involved in the translation process; rather, it serves as the template for transcription to produce mRNA. Thus, the role of tRNA is crucial in linking the genetic code from mRNA with the amino acids that form proteins.