a small RNA molecule, consisting of a strand of nucleotides folded into a clover-leaf shape, that picks up an unattached amino acid within the cell cytoplasm and conveys it to the ribosome for protein synthesis.
Abbreviation: tRNA.
Also called soluble RNA.
Origin
1960-65
British Dictionary definitions for transfer RNA
transfer RNA
noun
1.
(biochem) any of several soluble forms of RNA of low molecular weight, each of which transports a specific amino acid to a ribosome during protein synthesis Sometimes shortened to t-RNA Also called soluble RNA See also messenger RNA, genetic code