LESSON 2: Translation

General Info

  • Occurs after transcription
  • Location: mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to ribosome in cytoplasm
  • tRNA: uses an anticodon to match to corresponding mRNA codon.
    • Attached to the tRNA is an amino acid

tRNA (Transfer RNA):

  • Carries an amino acid at one end and an anticodon at the other end
  • Amino acids are held by peptide bonds to create a protein
    • Type of covalent bond

Anticodon

  • Located on tRNA
    • “Deciphered” mRNA code
    • Example:
    • mRNA Codon = AUG
    • tRNA Codon = UAC
    • tRNA picks up the amino acid that corresponds to the mRNA codon

Translation

  • mRNA contains information in sets of 3 called a CODON
    • Each codes for a specific amino acid
  • tRNA will carry in the amino acid and deposit it if the tRNA anticodon matches with the codon sequence to build a protein
  • rRNA, ribosomal RNA
    • guides the process in the ribosome
    • makes up part of the ribosome

Types of RNA Review

  • mRNA, messenger RNA copies and carries the DNA code
  • tRNA, transfer RNA
    • carries amino acids
  • rRNA, ribosomal RNA
    • guides the process in the ribosome