BRAINCAKETranslation
Once the mRNA leaves the nucleus a ribosome attaches to the start codon (triplet of bases) which is always AUG.
A tRNA molecule with the complementary anticodon UAC bound to the amino acid methionine attaches to the mRNA. Complementary base pairing and hydrogen bonding occurs between the codon of the mRNA and anticodon of the tRNA.
Another tRNA whose anticodon is complementary to the next codon binds to the mRNA by base-pairing. Each tRNA molecule is attached to a specific amino acid.
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Key terms in this lesson
- hydrogen bond
- A weak electrostatic attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom on one polar molecule and a slightly negative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, on another.
- hydrolysis
- The breaking of a covalent bond within a molecule using a water molecule.
- complementary base pairing
- The specific pairing of bases by hydrogen bonds, adenine with thymine (or uracil) and guanine with cytosine.
- ATP
- Adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide that acts as the immediate energy source in cells, releasing energy when hydrolysed to ADP and phosphate.
- ribosome
- A small organelle, made of RNA and protein, that is the site of protein synthesis.
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