Translation

Translation is the process in which ribosomes in the cytoplasm create proteins from amino acids. The ribosomes uses the DNA's blueprint, in the form of MRNA, as a guide to which amino acids are needed and in what order they are needed. The mRNA attaches to a ribosome, which in fact is a combination of small and large subunits. In effect, another type of RNA, called transfer RNA, responds to the ribosome and mRNA combining. It is tRNA that actually brings amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis. Each tRNA has its own code and only brings in one specific type of amino acid. Triplet bases, such as UAG, are called codons. The tRNA code is called an anticodon. The codons and anticodons are complements of each other. In effect, the mRNA tells the ribosome which tRNA to call to create the protein needed. The amino acids the tRNA brings to the ribosome are connected and develop into a long chain of amino acids. There are start codes and stop codes on the mRNA to indicate the beginning and ending of the protein and the whole process.