Translation

   During translation, the message in the genetic code(RNA) is translated into a protein. Translation occurs in three stages:

1. Initiation

The small ribosomal subunit sticks to mRNA and then the large ribosomal subunit. A tRNA molecule carrying an amino acid aligns with the start codon(mRNA).

2. Elongation

mRNA slides through the ribosome one codon at a time. As a new codon enters the ribosome, a complementary tRNA brings in a new amino acid. When the amino acids are aligned side by side, the ribosome catalyzes the formation of a peptide bond between the amino acids.

3. Termination

When a stop codon (e.g. UGA) enters the ribosome, a release factor pairs up with this codon and translation ends. The ribosome subunits, mRNA and the protein all separate.

After translation, the polypeptide chain coils and folds into a unique shape resulting in a functional protein (e.g. insulin).
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© Copyright 1998 Terry Brown. All rights reserved.