Questions and Answers
What is translation?
Translation is the synthesis of a protein from an mRNA template.
How does translation relate to the Central Dogma?
During translation, messages travel from DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes to make proteins.
How does translation differ from transcription?
Transcription is the process of converting DNA to RNA.
What does translation create and from what?
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Where does translation occur and on what organelle?
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What makes rough ER rough?
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In translation, what is the starting language?
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What is the 'translated' language?
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Which molecule translates from 'nucleotide' to 'amino acid'?
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Why is the tRNA molecule so important?
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How does the shape of tRNA relate to its function?
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What is an anticodon?
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How many nucleotides long is an anticodon?
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What is a codon?
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How many codons are generated from 150 nucleotides in an mRNA molecule?
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How many amino acids would be in a protein made from an mRNA molecule that is 150 nucleotides long?
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What is so important about the genetic code?
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Study Notes
Translation Overview
- Translation synthesizes proteins from mRNA, converting the mRNA code into a specific amino acid sequence.
- It is a step in the Central Dogma, along with transcription, where DNA's genetic information is expressed.
Relationship to Central Dogma
- Central Dogma illustrates the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA (transcription) and from RNA to protein (translation).
- mRNA messages travel from the nucleus to ribosomes during translation.
Transcription vs. Translation
- Transcription converts DNA to RNA and serves as the messenger for translation.
- Translation takes the mRNA and produces proteins in the ribosome, utilizing the information provided by mRNA.
Products of Translation
- Translation results in the formation of proteins or polypeptides, starting with tRNA transporting amino acids to ribosomes.
- This process is driven by the prior transcription of DNA into mRNA.
Location and Organelles
- Translation occurs in the cytoplasm, specifically on ribosomes located on the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER).
- The Rough ER appears "rough" due to the presence of ribosomes on its surface.
Language of Translation
- The starting language for translation is RNA, with nucleotide bases A, U, C, and G.
- The translated language is protein, consisting of various amino acids like Ala, Asp, and Asn.
Role of tRNA
- tRNA serves as the translator molecule, facilitating the conversion of nucleotides to amino acids.
- Its structure features two functional sides: one for amino acids and another for anticodons, enabling effective communication.
Anticodons and Codons
- An anticodon consists of three nucleotides on the tRNA that pairs with a complementary codon on mRNA.
- Codons are three-nucleotide sequences in mRNA, necessary for encoding amino acids, allowing for sufficient variability (64 possible codons) for 20 amino acids.
Genetic Code Significance
- The genetic code delineates the rules for translating genetic material into proteins, governing biological processes.
- It highlights the degeneracy of the code, as multiple codons can encode the same amino acid.
Nucleotide Counts
- A 150-nucleotide-long mRNA translates to 50 codons, each corresponding to a single amino acid in the resulting protein.
- The ratio conforms to the relationship 4^3 = 64, ensuring adequate representation of over 20 amino acids with a manageable coding structure.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the concept of translation in biology, specifically its function in protein synthesis and its relation to the Central Dogma. Through a series of flashcards, it examines how mRNA is translated into amino acid sequences and the significance of this process in cellular biology.
