Question

Describe the process of translation (protein synthesis). Be sure to explain it step-by-step and describe the molecules involved at each step. Be sure to describe where each step occurs.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Translation is the second process that the genetic material needs to undergo to be expressed. Basically, it is when the nucleotide sequence in mRNA is used to synthesize proteins. Translation occurs in the ribosome (cytoplasm) and it occurs with the aid of a special type of RNA molecule that helps matches an mRNA codon with the amino acid it encodes. This RNA is called transfer RNA (tRNA).

Translation begins when a tRNA attaches to mRNA in the P site of the ribosome, this attachment forms an initiation complex. The tRNA contains a set of three nucleotides called ANTICODON which is complementary to the mRNA codon. It uses this anticodon to read the mRNA codon in the Psite, and carries an amino acid that is specified by that codon it reads. When this is done, it exposes the mRNA codon on the other site of the ribosome (A site). Another tRNA then binds to this codon on the A-site. The tRNA carries the amino acid encoded by that codon.

The first tRNA then transfers its amino acid to the one on the newly arrived tRNA, this forms a peptide bond between the two amino acids. When this chemical bonding occurs, the ribosome shifts the tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide into its vacant site. This makes the codon on the site exposed again and the process repeats in that order till a stop CODON is encountered, signalling the release of the polypeptide (protein).