Final answer:
If protein synthesis is interrupted on the ribosome, tRNA binding cannot occur, preventing the formation of peptide bonds and the growth of the protein chain. This halt can have serious implications for cell function and can lead to diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
If protein synthesis on the ribosome is interrupted, the next step that cannot occur is (b) tRNA binding. This step is crucial because tRNA must bind to the ribosome to introduce new amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain, which is the essence of protein synthesis. Without tRNA binding, the ribosome cannot catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between the tRNAs in the A and P sites, ultimately halting the growth of the protein chain. The interruption of protein synthesis can have significant consequences as proteins are essential for building important body tissues and performing vital functions, and errors in this process can lead to hereditary and age-related diseases. Other steps of protein synthesis include ribosome assembly and the initiation of translation, however, since protein synthesis is already in progress at the ribosome, mRNA transcription, DNA replication, and protein folding are not immediately affected.
If protein synthesis on the ribosome is interrupted, the next step that cannot occur is protein folding. Protein folding is the process by which a polypeptide chain acquires its three-dimensional structure, which is crucial for its biological function. If protein synthesis is interrupted, the polypeptide chain will not be able to fold correctly and may form non-functional or misfolded proteins.