Translation is the production of a polypeptide from the sequence of codons carried by mRNA. It occurs at ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
The process of translation
- The mRNA molecule associates with a ribosome.
- tRNA molecules carrying their specific amino acids move to the ribosome.
- The anticodon of a tRNA binds to a complementary codon on the mRNA.
- A second tRNA carrying another amino acid binds beside the first.
- A peptide bond forms between the amino acids. ATP provides energy for the process.
- The ribosome progresses along the mRNA so further codons can be translated and the amino acid chain can grow.
- Translation ends when a stop codon is reached.
Exam Tip: In a translation answer, link each structure to its role: tRNA carries a specific amino acid, its anticodon pairs with a complementary mRNA codon, and the amino acids become joined by peptide bonds.