Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

11. Translation

Translation

Genetics

11. Translation

Translation

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1:52 minutes

Problem 39i

Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

Indicate where fMet is located in the string to the right of G.

Verified step by step guidance

Examine the diagram provided. It illustrates the process of translation in genetics, where mRNA is being translated into a polypeptide chain. The ribosome is shown moving along the mRNA strand, and the labeled components include A (DNA), B (RNA polymerase), C (mRNA), D (ribosome), E (tRNA), F (polypeptide chain), and G (start codon).

Understand the role of fMet (formylmethionine). In prokaryotes, fMet is the first amino acid incorporated during translation. It is associated with the start codon (AUG) on the mRNA strand, which is recognized by the ribosome.

Locate the start codon (G) in the diagram. The start codon is the site where translation begins, and fMet is added to the growing polypeptide chain at this location.

Identify the position of fMet relative to G. Since fMet is the first amino acid, it is directly linked to the start codon (G) and is the initial amino acid in the polypeptide chain being synthesized.

Conclude that fMet is located at the beginning of the polypeptide chain, immediately to the right of G in the diagram, as translation proceeds in the 5' to 3' direction along the mRNA strand.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Translation in Genetics

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using messenger RNA (mRNA) as a template. During translation, the ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides, known as codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid. This process is essential for gene expression and the production of proteins that perform various functions in the cell.

Initiation Codon (fMet)

The initiation codon, typically AUG, codes for the amino acid methionine, which is often modified to form N-formylmethionine (fMet) in prokaryotes. fMet is crucial for the initiation of protein synthesis, as it is the first amino acid incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain. Its presence signals the start of translation, allowing the ribosome to assemble and begin synthesizing the protein.

Ribosome Structure and Function

Ribosomes are complex molecular machines composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, responsible for translating mRNA into polypeptides. They consist of two subunits (large and small) that come together during translation. The ribosome facilitates the binding of tRNA molecules, which carry specific amino acids, to the mRNA template, ensuring the correct sequence of amino acids in the resulting protein.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Organisms of all three domains of life usually use the mRNA codon AUG as the start codon.

Do organisms of the three domains use the same amino acid as the initial amino acid in translation? Identify similarities and differences.

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Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

Does the diagram depict molecular activity in a bacterium or a eukaryote? Explain the reasoning for your answer.

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Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

What process(es) are illustrated in the diagram?

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Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

Which end of the polypeptide is closest to G?

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Textbook Question

Answer the following questions about the accompanying diagram.

What name is given to the object looking like a string of beads that is closest to F?

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Textbook Question

For the sequences given in the following list, indicate whether DNA replication, transcription, pre-mRNA processing, or translation will be most immediately affected by deletion of the sequence. As precisely as you can, specify what step of the process is directly affected by the deletion.

a. start codon

b. TATA box

c. 5' splice site

d. ori sequence

e. -10 consensus sequence

f. Shine–Dalgarno sequence

g. 5' cap

h. termination sequence

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Multiple Choice

During protein synthesis, when does translation stop?