Transcription and Translation (Video) Transcription and Translation

How does the cell translate a message? The mRNA is the message sent from the nucleus to the ribosome, the organelle of protein synthesis. Like a foreign language, the genetic code of the mRNA message must then be translated so that the ribosomes make the correct protein. The process of reading the code of a mRNA to make a protein is called translation.

Translation

The mRNA, which is transcribed from the DNA in the nucleus, carries the directions for the protein-making process. mRNA tells the ribosome (Figure below) how to create a specific protein.

Ribosomes translate mRNA into a Protein

Ribosomes translate RNA into a protein with a specific amino acid sequence. The tRNA binds and brings to the ribosome the amino acid encoded by the mRNA.

The process of reading the mRNA code in the ribosome to make a protein is called translation. The mRNA is translated from the language of nucleic acids (nucleotides) to the language of proteins (amino acids). Sets of three bases, called codons, are read in the ribosome, the organelle responsible for making proteins.

DNA is transcribed to mRNA, which is translated into a protein

This summary of how genes are expressed shows that DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated, in turn, to protein. The one letter code represents amino acids.

The following are the steps involved in translation:

mRNA travels to the ribosome from the nucleus. The following steps occur in the ribosome:
- The base code in the mRNA determines the order of the amino acids in the protein. The genetic code in mRNA is read in “words” of three letters (triplets), called codons. Each codon codes for an amino acid. There are 20 amino acids used to make proteins, and different codons code for different amino acids. For example, GGU codes for the amino acid glycine, while GUC codes for valine.
- tRNA reads the mRNA code and brings a specific amino acid to attach to the growing chain of amino acids. The anticodon on the tRNA binds to the codon on the mRNA. Each tRNA carries only one type of amino acid and only recognizes one specific codon. For example, a GGC anticodon will bind to a CCG codon, and a CGA anticodon will bind to a GCU codon.
- tRNA is released from the amino acid.
- Three codons, UGA, UAA, and UAG, indicate that the protein should stop adding amino acids. They are called stop codons and do not code for an amino acid. Once tRNA comes to a stop codon, the protein is set free from the ribosome.

An RNA codon reading GUU would encode for a valine (Val) according to this chart. Start at the center for the first base of the three base codon, and work your way out. More than one codon may encode for a single amino acid. For example, glycine (Gly) is encoded by a GGG, GGA, GGC, and GGU. There are 64 codons. Of the 64 codons, three are stop codons.

Summary

Translation is the process of reading the mRNA code in the ribosome to make a protein.
Sets of three bases on the mRNA, called codons, are read in order to select the correct amino acid for building a protein.

Explore More

What reads the sequence of the mRNA? What are three nucleotides that code for an amino acid called?
What brings amino acids to the translation site?
What is an anticodon? Where are they found? What is their function?
About how many amino acids are present in your average protein?
How many ribosomes read a single mRNA molecule at the same time? How is this beneficial to the organism?

Explore More II

What is the start code for translating an mRNA molecule?
How many stop codes are there from translating mRNA? What are they?
How many different amino acids are used to make proteins?

Review

What is translation?
What is a codon?
What is a stop codon?
What would happen if the stop codon was mutated to encode for another amino acid?
Given the DNA sequence, ATGTTAGCCGTATGC, what is the mRNA sequence? What is the amino acid sequence?

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