Final answer:
During translation, a ribosome reads an mRNA molecule to synthesize proteins. The ribosome moves along mRNA, matching tRNA anticodons with mRNA codons, facilitating the construction of a specific amino acid sequence. This process requires energy and involves moving one codon at a time for precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
During translation, a ribosome moves along and "reads" a mRNA molecule. This process involves multiple steps where the ribosome binds to the mRNA transcript and travels from the 5' end towards the 3' end. The ribosome facilitates the alignment of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with complementary anticodons to the mRNA codons, effectively translating the nucleotide sequence into a sequence of amino acids.
Each trio of nucleotide bases, known as a codon, is matched with a tRNA molecule carrying a specific amino acid. This sequence determines the production of proteins with a precise arrangement of amino acids. The ribosome performs a critical function during translation elongation by moving one codon at a time, ensuring the polypeptide chain grows correctly, and ejecting the deacylated tRNA into the cytosol. This process is energy-dependent and involves the use of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and elongation factors like EF-G.
One remarkable aspect of this biological mechanism is its speed and accuracy, as seen in bacteria like E. coli, where a 200-amino acid polypeptide can be translated in just 10 seconds. In summary, the mRNA's instructions, transcribed from DNA, are read by the ribosome to synthesize proteins vital for cellular functions.