Study Guide – CB Lecture 13 Translation of mRNA

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to the translation of mRNA, including definitions, processes, and structures.

What is the process of translation in genetics?

Translation is the process of decoding the nucleotide sequence of an mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids, resulting in a functional protein.

Where does translation occur in the cell?

Translation occurs in the cytoplasm.

In which direction is mRNA read during translation?

mRNA is read from 5′ to 3′.

What is the start codon in the genetic code?

The start codon is AUG, which codes for Methionine.

What is the significance of the wobble hypothesis?

The wobble hypothesis explains the flexibility at the 3rd codon position, allowing tRNA to recognize multiple codons and reducing mutation impact.

Describe the structure of tRNA.

tRNA has a cloverleaf secondary structure and an L-shaped tertiary conformation.

What is the role of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases?

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyze the pairing of the correct amino acid with its corresponding tRNA.

What are the components of a eukaryotic ribosome?

A eukaryotic ribosome is composed of 80S, which includes a 60S large subunit and a 40S small subunit.

What happens during the initiation phase of translation?

The small ribosomal subunit binds mRNA, initiator tRNA recognizes the start codon, and the large subunit joins.

What are the functions of post-translational modifications?

Post-translational modifications regulate enzyme activity, modulate gene expression, epigenetic regulation, target proteins for degradation, aid protein folding, and stabilize protein structures.