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 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.