6.4 Translation
Translation is the synthesis of a polypeptide using the information in the mRNA. During this stage, there is a change in language: The cell must translate the nucleotide sequence of an mRNA molecule into the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. The sites of translation are ribosomes, molecular complexes that facilitate the orderly linking of amino acids into polypeptide chains.
To Think About:
What is translation? What are the main steps of the translation process? When does translation occur in prokaryotes? How does an alternate flow of information affect translation in retroviruses? How does the process of translation serve as evidence of common ancestry? What are the main features in each step of translation? What are the primary molecules involved in the process of translation?
Watch: AP Daily Translation Video One
Answer the Following Questions:
- Translation generates ___________________
- How is the location of prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes different?
- Describe the three main steps in translation.
- How is retroviral translation different?
- Nearly all organisms use the same __________ _______. This is evidence of ______________ ___________
Watch: AP Daily Translation Video Two
Answer the Following Questions:
- During initiation, __________ in the ribosome interacts with the start codon of the ________.
- What does it mean when we say “the genetic code is redundant”?
- What are stop codons? (Do not use the word “stop” in your answer!)
- What is the function of tRNA?
- The tRNA _____________ must complement the mRNA ____________
- What is elongation?
- How does the ribosome know when to end/terminate translation?
- STOP the video at 5:35, write your prediction here.
Supplementary Resources:
McGraw Hill Animation: Translation
St. Olaf College: Translation
University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center: RNA’s Role in the Central Dogma
Nobelprize.org: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1968
