Translation

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video?

  Features of the genetic code
• What is meant by the genome?

  All genes in a cell
• What is the proteome?

  All proteins produced by the genome
• How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?

  23 pairs
• What does the nucleotide sequence of a gene determine?

  Amino acid sequence of a polypeptide
• What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)?

  Determines amino acid sequence of polypeptide
• What are the triplets in mRNA called?

  Codons
• What is the genetic code?

  Triplets that encode amino acids
• What is a key feature of the genetic code regarding amino acids?

  Most amino acids have more than one triplet
• What does it mean that the triplet code is non-overlapping?

  No base is read more than once
• Why is the genetic code described as universal?

  Same triplets encode same amino acids in most organisms
• What is the start triplet in translation?

  Triplet that starts translating mRNA
• What amino acid does the start triplet encode?

  Methionine
• What are stop triplets in translation?

  Triplets that determine where translation stops
• What is the role of transfer RNA (tRNA) in translation?

  Brings amino acids to the ribosome
• What does the anticodon on tRNA do?

  It is complementary to the mRNA codon
• What happens when the ribosome reaches a stop codon?

  The ribosome detaches and releases the polypeptide
• What is the function of peptidyl transferase?

  Catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds
• How does ATP relate to peptide bond formation?

  It provides energy for the bond formation
• What happens after the first ribosome starts translating mRNA?

  Another ribosome can attach to the start codon
• What is the significance of multiple ribosomes translating mRNA simultaneously?

  It allows rapid production of polypeptides
• What must happen to a polypeptide after it is synthesized?

  It must be correctly folded to function
• What are the stages of translation?

  1. mRNA binds to ribosome
  2. tRNA with complementary anticodon attaches
  3. Peptide bonds form between amino acids
  4. Ribosome moves to next codon
  5. Process repeats until stop codon is reached
  6. Polypeptide is released
• What are the key features of the genetic code?

  • Degenerate code: multiple triplets for amino acids
  • Non-overlapping: no base is read more than once
  • Universal: same triplets encode same amino acids in most organisms
• What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

  • Carries genetic information from DNA
  • Serves as a template for amino acid sequence
  • Codons in mRNA specify which amino acids to add
• What is the role of tRNA in translation?

  • Transfers specific amino acids to ribosome
  • Anticodon on tRNA pairs with mRNA codon
  • Ensures correct amino acids are added to polypeptide
• What is the function of ribosomes in translation?

  • Bind mRNA and tRNA
  • Facilitate peptide bond formation
  • Move along mRNA to synthesize polypeptides