Translation is the process by which a mature mRNA molecule is used as a template for synthesizing a new protein.:6.2 Translation is carried out by ribosomes, large complexes of RNA and protein responsible for carrying out the chemical reactions to add new amino acids to a growing polypeptide chain by the formation of peptide bonds. The genetic code is read three nucleotides at a time, in units called codons, via interactions with specialized RNA molecules called transfer RNA (tRNA). Each tRNA has three unpaired bases known as the anticodon that are complementary to the codon it reads on the mRNA. The tRNA is also covalently attached to the amino acid specified by the complementary codon. When the tRNA binds to its complementary codon in an mRNA strand, the ribosome attaches its amino acid cargo to the new polypeptide chain, which is synthesized from amino terminus to carboxyl terminus. During and after synthesis, most new proteins must folds to their active three-dimensional structure before they can carry out their cellular functions.:3 COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the process by which a mature mRNA molecule is used as a template for synthesizing a new protein called? ANS1 Translation QSN2 What does a ribosome consist of? ANS2 large complexes of RNA and protein QSN3 What is a ribosome responsible for? ANS3 carrying out the chemical reactions to add new amino acids to a growing polypeptide chain QSN4 How is the genetic code read? ANS4 via interactions with specialized RNA molecules called transfer RNA (tRNA) QSN5 How many unpaired bases does each tRNA have? ANS5 three