Translation

Front

What is translation in the context of molecular biology?

Back

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the information encoded in mRNA.

Front

What is the role of mRNA in translation?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes during translation?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular structures where translation occurs; they read the mRNA sequence and facilitate the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide chain.

Front

What is tRNA and what is its role in translation?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) is a type of RNA that transports specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching them to the corresponding codons on the mRNA.

Front

What are codons?

Back

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during protein synthesis.

Front

What are anticodons?

Back

Anticodons are sequences of three nucleotides in tRNA that are complementary to the codons in mRNA, allowing for the correct amino acid to be added to the growing polypeptide chain.

Front

What is a polypeptide chain?

Back

A polypeptide chain is a series of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which folds into a functional protein.

Front

How do amino acids link together during translation?

Back

Amino acids link together through peptide bonds formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another.

Front

What is the genetic code?

Back

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in mRNA is translated into proteins, consisting of 64 codons that specify 20 amino acids.

Front

Why can a single codon chart be used across different species?

Back

A single codon chart can be used across different species because all living organisms share the same genetic code.