Final answer:
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are enzymes that attach amino acids to tRNA molecules. This process occurs in three steps: ATP hydrolysis, transfer of the amino acid to the enzyme, and transfer of the amino acid to the tRNA. The charged tRNA is then ready for translation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are enzymes that are responsible for attaching amino acids to tRNA molecules. There is at least one type of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase for each of the 20 amino acids. The process of amino acid activation occurs in three steps. First, ATP and an appropriate amino acid bind to the synthetase and undergoes hydrolysis, releasing pyrophosphate (PPi) and forming an enzyme-AMP-amino acid complex. Then, the amino acid is transferred to the enzyme, releasing AMP. Lastly, the tRNA binds to the enzyme and the amino acid is transferred to the tRNA, resulting in a charged tRNA ready for translation.