Genetics: DNA & Protein Synthesis - Translation

Question 1

What is translation?

Answer 1

• When amino acids are joined together to make a polypeptide chain, following the sequence of codons carried by mRNA

Question 2

Compare the process of translation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Answer 2

• Process is the same in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Question 3

Describe the process of translation

Answer 3

• First mRNA attaches to ribosome

• mRNA attaches to ribosome at start codon
• tRNA carries an amino acid
• tRNA with a complementary anticodon pairs with mRNA by complementary base pairing (still with uracil)

• Second tRNA attaches

• Two amino acids attached to tRNA molecules joined by a peptide bond
• First tRNA molecule moves away, leaving its amino acid and second tRNA molecule behind

• Process repeats

• Ribosome moves along mRNA strand
• Until there’s a stop codon

Question 4

Where does the energy used to form the peptide bond during translation come from?

Answer 4

• Energy released from hydrolysis of ATP