Translation Flashcards
Translation
The second step in protein synthesis.
First step
mRNA leaves the nucleus via a nuclear pore and attaches to a ribosome. The ribosome is an organelle that ‘reads; mRNA bases in a sequence of three bases at a time, known as a codon.
Second step
A start codon on the mRNA initiates translation.
Third step
Another type of RNA mole, called transfer RNA (tRNA) attaches to amino acids found in the cytoplasm based on the three bases on the end of the tRNA. The bases on the tRNA are called anticodons. Three is a different kind of tRNA for each amino acid.
Forth step
Anticodons on the tRNA are complementary to a codon on the tRNA. Codon-anticodon ‘matches’ combine according to the base pairing rules and bring the correct amino acid to the next part of the sequence.
Fifth step
In the ribosome, amino acids bond to other amino acids with peptide bonds and form a polypeptide chain.
Sixth step
A stop codon ends translation.
Seventh step
The polypeptide chain is released from the ribosome and ‘folds’ into a three-dimensional structure, becoming a functional protein.