Codons and anticodons are both groups of three bases that help make proteins, but they are found on different RNA molecules.
- A codon is on mRNA. It gives the code for one amino acid.
Example: AUG codes for methionine. - An anticodon is on tRNA. It matches with the codon on mRNA and brings the correct amino acid.
Example: If the mRNA codon is AUG, the tRNA anticodon is UAC.
Simple difference:
Codon = message on mRNA
Anticodon = match on tRNA that reads the message.