Protein Synthesis - Translation

Question 1

Where does translation occur?

Answer 1

In the ribosomes

Question 2

(Translation) - stage 1 - what is the first step of translation?

Answer 2

• The genetic code on the mRNA will be used to assemble a corresponding chain of amino acids

Question 3

(Translation) - stage 2 - what happens when the mRNA attaches to the ribosomes?

Answer 3

-the mRNA attaches to the ribosomes, every group of 3 bases on the mRNA is called a codon

Question 4

(Translation) - stage 3 - what does the tRNA molecules contain?

Answer 4

It contains triplets at one end called anticidons.
- these line up next to the codons on the mRNA complementary base pairing (temporary hydrogen bonds)

Question 5

(Translation) - stage 4 - what does the the end of the tRNA molecule have attached?

Answer 5

the other end of the tRNA molecule has a specific amino acid attached

Question 6

(Translation) - stage 5 - what happens after the ribosomes hold the two RNA molecules?

Answer 6

• The ribosomes hold the tRNA molecules in position at the same time, allowing their amino acids to join by a peptide bond

Question 7

(Translation) - stage 6 - what happens when the first tRNA molecule leaves the ribosome?

Answer 7

• the tRNA molecule leaves the ribosomes, leaving its amino acids behind and another tRNA arrives with its amino acid.

Question 8

(Translation) - stage 7 - how do the amino acids join?

Answer 8

• the ribosomes move along so that the next two tRNA molecules are in position, allowing their amino acids to join, peptide bonds forms, then the second tRNA molecule moves away
• the process continues

Question 9

(Translation) - stage 8 - How long does the process go on for?

Answer 9

Happens until the a “STOP” codon on the mRNA is reached, signalling that the polypetide is now complete.

Question 10

(Translation) - stage 9 - where is the polypetide released?

Answer 10

Tje polypeptide is released into the cyoplasm, this is the primary protein structure, and then build up further into a complete functionin protein

Question 11

What does it mean the code is degenerate?

Answer 11

there are more possible triplet codes (64) than there are amino acids (20)

Question 12

What does it mean that the code is non-overlapping?

Answer 12

The base code does not share their bases, each triplet is distinct from the next

Question 13

what does it mean the code is universal?

Answer 13

All organisms use the same code although the sequences of base coding for each individual protein will be different