BIOLOGY - TRANSLATION

Short single-stranded molecule, cloverleaf shape, the three end has the sequence ACC (amino acid stability), this is where specific amino acid sequence is attached, tRNA transports specific amino acids to ribosomes for photosynthesis and contains anticodons which match up to codons on the mRNA

Initiation, elongation and termination

mRNA molecule leaves through the nuclear pore and arrives at the ribosome, the ribosome attaches to a start codon at one end of the mRNA molecule. The first tRNA, with an anticodon complementary to the first codon on the mRNA, attaches to the ribosome. The three bases of the codon on the mRNA bond to the three on the anticodon of the tRNA join with hydrogen bonds. This is repeated for a second tRNA codon

The two amino acids produced are close enough for a peptide bond to form between them, the first tRNA leaves the ribosome, leaving its attachment site vacant. It returns to the cytoplasm to bind to another copy of its specific amino acid. Ribosome moves one codon along the mRNA strand and the next tRNA binds.

The sequence repeats until a stop codon is reached. The ribosome - mRNA - polypeptide complex separates, protein is now ready to be transported to where it is needed and both the ribosome and mRNA can be used again