8.5 Polypeptide synthesis - translation

Question 1

Describe the process of translation

Answer 1

1. A ribosome becomes attached to the starting codon on one end of an mRNA molecule
2. the tRNA molecule with the complementary anticodon sequence moves to the ribosome and pairs up with the codon on the mRNA. This tRNA carries a specific amino acid
3. A tRNA molecule with a complementary anticodon pairs with the next codon on mRNA. This carries another amino acid
4. The ribosome moves along the mRNA, bringing together two tRNA molecules at any one time.
5. The two amino acids on the tRNA are joined by a peptide bond using an enzyme and ATP
6. The ribosome moves on to the third codon, thereby linking the amino acids on the second and third tRNA molecule
7. As this happens, the first tRNA is released from its amino acid and is free to collect another amino acid from the acid pool in the cell
8. Synthesis continues until a stop codon is reached