Theme 2C Flashcards
What is translation?
The assembly of amino acids into polypeptides on ribosomes.
Where does translation take place?
In the cytoplasm for eukaryotes and everywhere in prokaryotes
What is tRNA’s role in translation?
It brings amino acids to the complex to be added to the polypeptide chain.
How is the sequence of amino acids determined?
By the sequence of codons in the mRNA. It is read from the 5’-3’ direction.
What direction is the polypeptide assembled?
From the N-terminal end to the C-terminal end
Non-polar amino acids
R groups usually contain -CH2 or -CH3
Uncharged polar amino acids
R groups usually contain -OH
Charged polar amino acids
R groups that contain acids or bases that can ionize
Aromatic amino acids
R groups contain a carbon ring with alternating single and double bonds
What are the special functional amino acids?
- Methionine: first amino acid in a polypeptide
- Proline: causes a kink in polypeptide chains
- Cysteine (S-S): disulfide bridge contributes to the structure of amino acids
What is the shape of tRNA and what causes it?
Winds into four double-helical segments = four-leaf clover. Caused by tRNA base-pairing with itself.
What is the anticodon and where is it?
A three-nucleotide segment that base-pairs with a codon in mRNAs. Located at the tip of one of the double-helical segments.
What is opposite from the anticodon?
A free 3’ end that links to the amino acid corresponding to the anticodon. Known as the acceptor stem.
What is charging?
When aminoacyl-tRNA adds the amino acid to the acceptor stem of the correct tRNA.
Charging rxn: amino acid + tRNA + ATP -> aminoacetyl-tRNA + AMP + PPi
How many aminoacyl-tRNAs are there?
20 for 20 different codons
How many sense codons are there?
61, written from 5’-3’ as they appear in mRNA
What are the rules of the genetic code?
- Codons are read from 5’-3’
- Codons are non-overlapping and the msg contains no gaps
- Msg is translated in a fixed reading frame set by the start codon