Protein Synthesis: Translation

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering the Central Dogma, translation mechanics, codon decoding, and the three stages of translation: initiation, elongation, and termination.

What biological framework is represented in this diagram showing information flow from DNA to RNA to Proteins?

Central dogma of molecular biology

According to the central dogma of molecular biology, what are the three main processes involving DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis?

DNA undergoes replication, DNA is converted to RNA through transcription, and RNA is translated into proteins through translation.

What is the biological definition of translation?

Using mRNA code to make proteins.

Where does translation occur inside the cell?

In the ribosomes located in the cytoplasm or on the rough ER.

What are proteins composed of, and what determines their functional shape?

Proteins are chains of amino acids that are folded up into a particular shape.

In this translation diagram, what molecule carries the anticodon that pairs with the mRNA codon?

tRNA

What is a codon, and what does it code for during protein synthesis?

A codon is a $3$-nucleotide segment of mRNA; $1$ codon codes for $1$ amino acid.

How many total codons exist in the genetic code?

$64$ different codons.

Which specific codon serves as the start codon, and which amino acid does it code for?

Codon AUG, which codes for the amino acid methionine (start!).

What specific type of codons are shown in these three red hexagons?

STOP codons (UAA, UAG, and UGA)

What are the three main sequential steps of translation shown in this diagram?

Initiation, Elongation, and Termination

What happens during the initiation step of translation?

Ribosomes attach to the start codon on the mRNA so translation can begin.

What takes place during the elongation step of translation?

tRNAs bring amino acids to the ribosome, matching anticodons on the tRNA to codons on the mRNA, forming a chain held together by peptide bonds.

What type of chemical bonds hold the chain of amino acids together during elongation?

Peptide bonds

In what direction does the ribosome move along the mRNA strand during translation?

From $5'$ to $3'$

What occurs during the termination step of translation?

When the ribosome reaches a stop codon, the finished polypeptide is released to do its job in the cell and the ribosome dissociates.

What amino acid sequence is produced by translating the mRNA sequence AUG CCU GUA UAA?

Methionine - Proline - Valine (UAA is a stop codon).

What amino acid sequence results from the mRNA sequence GUC AUG GGU AAA UGA?

Methionine - Glycine - Lysine (translation begins at the start codon AUG, and UGA is a stop codon).