Final answer:
In the process of translation in protein synthesis, essential molecules include the mRNA template, ribosomes, tRNAs, and various enzymatic factors. These components work through three main stages: initiation, elongation, and termination, to synthesize a polypeptide according to the genetic instructions carried by mRNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Molecules in the Process of Translation
The process of translation involves various molecules that work together to synthesize proteins. The main players in this process include the mRNA template, which carries the genetic code, ribosomes that serve as the site of protein synthesis, tRNAs which transport amino acids and match them to the mRNA, and various enzymatic factors that facilitate the reactions. During translation, the small ribosomal subunit binds to the mRNA template, and translation begins at the initiating AUG codon. tRNAs bring specific amino acids to the ribosome, which are added to the growing polypeptide chain in a sequence dictated by the mRNA template. This happens in three main stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. The entire process continues until a stop codon is encountered, which signals the release of the newly synthesized protein.