2.3.2 - Translation

Question 1

What Is Translation?

Answer 1

Amino acids are joined together to make a polypeptide chain, following the sequence of codons carried by the mRNA.

Question 1

Describe tRNA
(3 Points)

Answer 1

~ Found in the cytoplasm.

~ Has an amino acid binding site at one end and a sequence of three bases on the other end, called an anticodon.

~ Carries amino acids that are used to make proteins to the ribosomes during translation.

Question 2

Where Does Translation Take Place?

Answer 2

Ribosomes inside the cytoplasm.

Question 3

Describe The Process Of Translation
(8 Points)

Answer 3

1) The mRNA attaches itself to a ribosome and tRNA molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome.

2) A tRNA molecule, with an anticodon that’s complementary to the start codon on the mRNA attaches itself to the mRNA by complementary base pairing.

3) A second tRNA molecule attaches itself to the next codon on the mRNA in the same way.

4) The 2 amino acids attached to the tRNA molecules are then joined together by a peptide bond, the first tRNA molecule moves away leaving its amino acid behind.

5) The ribosome moves along to the next codon.

6) A third tRNA molecule binds to the codon on the mRNA, its amino acid binds to the first two amino acids and the second tRNA molecule moves away.

7) Process continues, producing a chain linked amino acids until there’s a stop codon on the mRNA molecule.

8) The polypeptide chain moves away from the ribosome, translation is now complete.