Translation

• What is translation?

  The process by which mRNA molecules code for proteins
• Synthesising a polypeptide:

  • a ribosome becomes attached to the starting codon (eg AUG)
  • the tRNA molecule with the specific anticodon (eg UAC) moves to the ribosome pairs with the codon on the mRNA. The tRNA carries a specific amino acid
  • a tRNA molecule with a complementary anticodon (eg UGC) pairs to the next codon on the mRNA (eg ACG). This tRNA molecule carries another amino acid
  • peptide bonds form using ATP
  • ribosome moves along the mRNA joining the second and third amino acids, releasing the first tRNA
  • process continues until a stop codon is reached
• Assembling a protien:

  • a number of polypeptides are linked together
  • folded and coiled to give secondary structure
  • folded further to giver tertiary structure
  • different polypeptide chains are linked to form the quaternary structure