Translation is the process where the copied stretch of mRNA is translated into proteins.
This occurs in ribosomes, either free floating in cells or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum.
An enzyme called RNA polymerase catalyses the reaction. A tRNA triplet code lines up alongside the single stranded mRNA molecule. tRNA has an amino acid binding site attached, and the amino acid that binds is dependent on the codon of the tRNA molecule.
When two amino acids are next to each other on the tRNA then a peptide bond forms between them and the first amino acid breaks free of the tRNA.
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Translation animation
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Activity:
Thinkquest Quiz