Translation is the process in which RNA is used to create protein. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell after the mRNA leaves the nucleus (in eukaryotes).<\/p>\n
– The small subunit of a ribosome attaches to the 5\u2019 end of the mRNA<\/p>\n
– Transfer RNA for methionine then binds to the complex<\/p>\n
– tRNA\u2019s have an anti-codon (3 bases that match a certain codon) at one end and carry a certain amino acid at the other<\/p>\n
– The large subunit of the ribosome attaches<\/p>\n
– tRNA\u2019s, which recognize the next codon in the mRNA, binds to the A site of the ribosome<\/p>\n
– The polypeptide chain moves from the tRNA in the adjacent P site, to the end of the tRNA in the A site<\/p>\n
– Peptide bonds are formed between the amino acids<\/p>\n
– The ribosome moves down the mRNA (5\u2019-3\u2019)<\/p>\n
– As a result, the tRNA that was in the P site is moved to the E site, and the tRNA that was in the A site is moved to the P site, leaving the A site empty for another tRNA to attach<\/p>\n
– The tRNA in the E site then leaves the ribosome<\/p>\n
– Thus, the polypeptide chain grows longer as elongation continues<\/p>\n
– When the A site reaches a stop codon, a release factor binds<\/p>\n
– Polypeptide chain is cleaved from the tRNA and released, along with the tRNA<\/p>\n
– The ribosome and mRNA dissociates from each other<\/p>\n
After translation, several modifications occur to the polypeptide chain before it becomes a functioning protein.<\/p>\n