4. Translation

Question 1

define translation

Answer 1

mRNA is read by a ribosome, the code being translated into a polypeptide chain

Question 2

define the genome of an organism

Answer 2

the entire set of genes or genetic material present within an organism

Question 3

define the proteome of an organism

Answer 3

the entire set of proteins within an organism

Question 4

what is meant by a degenerate code?

Answer 4

where an amino acid sequence triplet can code for the same protein/ sequence

Question 5

describe the structure of a tRNA molecule

Answer 5

• short single strand of RNA
• clover shape held together via hydrogen bonds
• amino acid binding site
• anti-codon binding site
• has a specific amino acid attached (Methionine)

Question 6

outline the process of translation

Answer 6

1. a ribosome attaches to a start codon on the mRNA
2. a tRNA molecule with a complimentary anticodon to the start codon binds to mRNA
3. the ribosome moves along to the next codon, the amino acids from each tRNA join together forming peptide bonds, and forming a polypeptide chain
4. the ribosome continues to move along the mRNA, with complimentary tRNA attaching until a stop codon is reached