Translation & Protein Localization

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to translation and protein localization in molecular biology.

Genetic code

Sequence of bases in an mRNA molecule read in groups of three nucleotide bases or codons.

Codon

A set of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal during translation.

Start codon

The codon (AUG) that indicates the start of translation.

Stop codon

A codon that signals the termination of translation.

Reading frame

The way in which the sequence of nucleotides in RNA is read in groups of three.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

The RNA molecule that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

The type of RNA that helps decode a messenger RNA sequence into a protein by carrying amino acids to the ribosome.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

An enzyme that catalyzes the attachment of an amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.

Ribosome

A complex molecule made of ribosomal RNA and proteins that is essential for protein synthesis.

Peptidyl transfer reaction

The reaction in which a peptide bond is formed between the amino acid at the A site and the growing polypeptide chain.

Initiation factors

Proteins that assist in the assembly of the ribosomal complex during the initiation stage of translation.

Elongation factors

Proteins that facilitate the addition of amino acids during the elongation phase of translation.

Translation termination factors

Proteins that recognize stop codons and facilitate the disassembly of the translation complex.

Cotranslational sorting

The process where synthesizing proteins are directed to their cellular location during translation.

Post-translational sorting

The process where completed polypeptides are transported to their final locations after synthesis.