Translation: the exciting process of the making of a protein

The Beginning of Translation

Translation is the use of mRNA and tRNA to make a protein. To do this there must first be a tRNA molecule at the P site. The P site is really called peptidyl-tRNA binding site. This is because it is where the Amino Acid chain is stored on the end of a tRNA molecule by a peptide bond. The A site gets its name from the word Aminoacyl-tRNA binding site. This is were the long chain of Amino Acids bonds with the next Amino Acid in the polypeptide chain. The mRNA contains information about protein that the Ribosome is to make.

Step 1

In the mRNA molecule a codon for and amino acid is recognized. The corresponding tRNA molecule is called and binds at site A.

Step 2

A peptide bond is formed between the new amino acid and the polypeptide chain. All of the amino acids are move to top of the tRNA molecule at site A.

Step 3

The tRNA molecule at the P site leaves, and the other tRNA molescule moves over an takes its place at the P site.

Step 4

Now the process is ready to repeat itself. This process goes until a molecule called a release factor comes in and joins at the A site.

Step 5

The release factor tells the tRNA molecule to let go of its amino acid chain, and the tRNA molecule at the P site is released.

Step 6

After all of this is done, the process can start all over again to form a new polypeptide chain or a protein.

After you have read this, you can go back to the previous page tp learn more about the ribosome.

This page was brought to you be Leo Ludwick. galileo@maui.net