translation

• Step 1 is mRNA attaches to the ribosome 
• Step 2 is one molecule of tRNA binds to the first codon in the ribosome. The tRNA molecule has an anticodon that is complementary to a codon on the mRNA, this means the correct codon and tRNA molecule can bind. 
• Step 3 is that each tRNA molecule brings a specific amino acid into the ribosome. 
• Step 4 is the binding of a second tRNA molecule to the second codon on the mRNA, therefore a second amino acid is also brought into the ribosome resulting in a peptide bond between the two amino acids. 
• Step 5 is the movement of the ribosome down the strand of mRNA to expose another codon for a complementary tRNA molecule to bind to and another amino acid.  This amino acid forms a peptide bond with the existing amino acids to make a polypeptide chain. 
• Step 6 is the process repeating until a stop codon is reached where there is no corresponding tRNA molecule and the polypeptide chain is released. 
• Step 7 is the polypeptide chain is now completed and can now perform its function. Some chains are joined together or a prosthetic group is added.