translation Flashcards
where does translation happen?
in the cytoplasm of the cell
after leaving the nucleus, what does the mRNA molecule attach to?
a ribosome on the rough endoplasmic reticulum
what molecules are found in the cytoplasm?
free molecules of tRNA (transfer RNA)
what do tRNA molecules have? (2)
an anticodon and a region where a specific amino acid can attach to
what is an anticodon?
a triplet of unpaired bases
how do amino acids get to the mRNA molecule?
the tRNA molecules bind with their specific amino acids and bring them to the mRNA molecule on the ribosome
what happens once the tRNA molecule gets to the mRNA molecule?
the anticodon (triplet of bases) on each tRNA molecule pairs with a complementary codon (triplet) on the mRNA molecule
how many tRNA molecules can fit onto a ribosome at one time?
two
between the two amino acids, what bond is formed?
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a peptide bond
when does this translation process become complete?
when a ‘stop’ codon on the mRNA molecule is reached; the amino acid chain then forms the final polypeptide
which amino acid does the first tRNA molecule contain? and what happens?
methionine; it will form hydrogen bonds with the ‘start’ codon on the mRNA
what does the second tRNA molecule do?
brings the second amino acid and bonds with the next codon on the mRNA
how does the ribosome move along the mRNA?
in a 5’ to 3’ direction to ‘read’ the next codon
what does the third tRNA molecule do?
carries the third amino acid and bonds with the complementary codon
