Final answer:
The statement is true. Termination of translation happens when a ribosome encounters a stop codon, leading to the release of the polypeptide and the dissociation of the ribosomal subunits from the mRNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true. When the ribosome reaches a stop codon, which can be UAA, UAG, or UGA, the process of translation terminates. At this point, a release factor recognizes the stop codon and binds to the A site of the ribosome, triggering a series of events that lead to the release of the newly formed polypeptide chain. Additionally, the ribosomal subunits dissociate from the mRNA molecule. The components, including ribosomal subunits and the mRNA, are then recycled for future translation processes. After a ribosome completes translation, the mRNA can be degraded so that its nucleotides can be reused in another transcription reaction.