Protein Synthesis - Translation (2/2) Flashcards
What is Translation?
The process where mRNA gets translated into a protein.
What and Where does the mRNA attach to?
Attaches to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.
Define Codon
3 Nitrogen bases in a row, codes for one amino acid.
Do all codons code for amino acids?
No. There are 4 codons that are initiator or terminator codons, meaning they start or stop protein synthesis.
Genetic Code has 3 important characteristics
1.) Redundant - where the same amino acid is coded for several times (could be due to base pair errors)
2.) Continonous - Three letter codons with no spaces or punctuation
3.) Universal - understanding that all living organisms can code things on the mRNA codon chart.
What happens when the mRNA finally binds to the ribosome?
The ribosome attaches to an initiator on the mRNA.
What does tRNA do once the ribosome is successfully attached to the initiator
tRNA will go pick up any amino acids circulating within the cytoplasm to the mRNA.
What is an anti codon?
It is on the tRNA so when it is searching for the amino acids, it knows which one will pair up with mRNA perfectly.
Once tRNA drops off the amino acid, what does the ribosome do?
It moves another 3 spaces and the next tRNA binds and drops off its amino acid.
When does this process stop?
When the terminator codon is reached.
