translation

• What are the triplets of nucleotides that code for a specific amino acid called?

  Codon
• What does it mean that the genetic code is nonoverlapping?

  Each nucleotide is part of only one codon
• What does degeneracy in the genetic code refer to?

  The same amino acid is coded by more than one codon
• What is the role of the third nucleotide in a codon?

  It plays a lesser role in specifying an amino acid
• What is the function of termination codons?

  They signal the end of polypeptide synthesis

  
• What is the initiation codon and what amino acid does it code for?

  AUG, which codes for methionine

  
• In which direction are codons written?

  5' → 3'
• Why is the genetic code considered nearly universal?

  It is similar across almost all organisms
• What is an anticodon?

  A three base sequence on tRNA that pairs with a codon

  
• How does the anticodon of tRNA interact with the codon of mRNA?

  The first base of the codon pairs with the third base of the anticodon
• How many tRNA molecules are required to translate all 61 codons?

  A minimum of 32 tRNA
• What is the wobble position in a codon?

  It refers to the 3rd nucleotide in a codon
• What is a wobble base pair?

  A pairing between two nucleotides that does not follow Watson-Crick rules

  
• What is the CCA sequence in tRNA responsible for?

  It functions as the site of amino acid attachment
• What enzyme is responsible for adding specific amino acids to tRNA?

  Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
• What is the composition of a ribosome?

  65% rRNA and 35% protein

  
• What are the stages of translation?

  1. Amino acid activation
  2. Initiation
  3. Elongation
  4. Termination
  5. Folding and processing

  
• What is the purpose of amino acid activation in translation?

  To ensure the correct amino acid is recognized and sufficient energy is available
• What are the three binding sites of the ribosome?

  A site, P site, and E site
• What happens during the initiation stage of translation?

  The small subunit of the ribosome binds with mRNA

  
• What is the role of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in prokaryotes?

  It aligns the ribosome with the start codon

  
• What occurs during the elongation stage of translation?

  Amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain

  
• What signals the end of translation?

  A stop codon entering the A site

  
• What do release factors do during termination?

  They add a water molecule to the last amino acid, releasing the protein

  
• What happens to the ribosomal subunits after translation is complete?

  They separate from the mRNA and can participate in another round of translation

  
• What occurs during the folding and processing stage of translation?

  Amino acids may be chemically altered, and the polypeptide folds into a 3D structure

  
• What is a polyosome?

  A complex of an mRNA molecule and two or more ribosomes
• What are the roles of chaperones in protein folding?

  • Assist in proper folding of proteins
  • Prevent incorrect aggregation of polypeptides