Which description matches the initiation stage of translation?

• A. Amino acids are added one by one to the growing polypeptide chain.
• B. The ribosome reaches a stop codon and the polypeptide is released.
• C. The ribosome assembles around the mRNA and the first tRNA is attached at the start codon.
• D. The mRNA is transcribed from DNA in the nucleus.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template.
2. Identify the stages of translation: initiation, elongation, and termination.
3. Focus on the initiation stage, where the ribosome assembles around the mRNA.
4. Recognize that during initiation, the first tRNA molecule binds to the start codon on the mRNA, typically AUG, which codes for methionine.
5. Note that this process sets the stage for the elongation phase, where amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain.