The processes of translation is a complex mechanism by which proteins are synthesized at the ribosome. A model of the process is shown here. Examine the model and select ALL the choices below that are accurate in their description AND their sequencing of the process of translation.

Responses

A A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the P site. A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the P site.

B The elongating polypeptide/protein is synthesized at the P site of the ribosome. The elongating polypeptide/protein is synthesized at the P site of the ribosome.

C The mRNA is read three bases at a time which corresponds to a particular amino acid. The mRNA is read three bases at a time which corresponds to a particular amino acid.

D A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the A site before moving to the P site. A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the A site before moving to the P site.

E tRNA molecules are reconnected with an amino acid before exiting the ribosome so the process can continue.

1 answer

To evaluate the accuracy and sequencing of the descriptions provided, let's break down the process of translation and identify which statements correctly describe it.

  1. A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the P site.

    • Incorrect. tRNA molecules enter at the A site (aminoacyl site) first, not the P site (peptidyl site).
  2. The elongating polypeptide/protein is synthesized at the P site of the ribosome.

    • Correct. The elongating polypeptide chain is indeed formed at the P site, where the tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide is located.
  3. The mRNA is read three bases at a time which corresponds to a particular amino acid.

    • Correct. This statement accurately describes the process called codon recognition, where each codon (three bases) on mRNA corresponds to a specific amino acid.
  4. A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the A site before moving to the P site.

    • Correct. This accurately describes the process where a new tRNA carrying an amino acid enters at the A site before translocating to the P site after peptide bond formation.
  5. tRNA molecules are reconnected with an amino acid before exiting the ribosome so the process can continue.

    • Incorrect/partially correct. While tRNAs are indeed recharged with amino acids by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases before entering the ribosome, they do not necessarily exit the ribosome in that state. The tRNAs exit after delivering their amino acid, but "reconnected" implies a different context that isn’t typically stated in this manner.

Summary

The accurate statements regarding translation are:

  • B (The elongating polypeptide/protein is synthesized at the P site of the ribosome.)
  • C (The mRNA is read three bases at a time which corresponds to a particular amino acid.)
  • D (A tRNA molecule containing an amino acid enters the ribosome at the A site before moving to the P site.)

So, the correct choices are B, C, and D.