Skip to main content
Back

Translation definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • Translation
    Process converting mRNA into a protein by sequential addition of amino acids, involving ribosomes and tRNAs.
  • Initiation
    First stage where ribosomal subunits, mRNA, and initiator tRNA assemble to begin protein synthesis.
  • Elongation
    Middle stage where amino acids are sequentially added to the growing polypeptide chain by ribosomal movement.
  • Termination
    Final stage where a stop codon is recognized, leading to release of the completed polypeptide from the ribosome.
  • Shine-Dalgarno Sequence
    Prokaryotic mRNA region upstream of the start codon that aligns ribosomes for accurate translation initiation.
  • Kozak Sequence
    Eukaryotic consensus sequence surrounding the start codon, enhancing translation efficiency and accuracy.
  • Initiation Factors
    Proteins (IFs in prokaryotes, EIFs in eukaryotes) that help assemble the translation initiation complex and prepare mRNA.
  • Elongation Factors
    Proteins (e.g., EF2, EFG) that use GTP to facilitate tRNA movement and peptide bond formation during elongation.
  • Release Factors
    Proteins that recognize stop codons, bind to the ribosome, and trigger release of the newly made polypeptide.
  • Ribosome
    Molecular machine with A, P, and E sites that coordinates decoding of mRNA and synthesis of polypeptides.
  • tRNA
    Adaptor molecule carrying specific amino acids and matching mRNA codons via its anticodon during translation.
  • Start Codon
    AUG sequence on mRNA signaling where translation begins and specifying methionine as the first amino acid.
  • Stop Codon
    mRNA sequence (e.g., UAA, UAG, UGA) that signals the end of translation and prompts polypeptide release.
  • Wobble Hypothesis
    Concept explaining flexible base pairing at the third codon position, allowing one tRNA to recognize multiple codons.
  • Polypeptide Chain
    Linear sequence of amino acids synthesized during translation, forming the primary structure of a protein.