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Translation definitions

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  • Ribosome
    Molecular machine made of RNA and protein, composed of large and small subunits, responsible for protein synthesis.
  • tRNA
    Adaptor molecule that brings specific amino acids to the ribosome by matching codons on mRNA.
  • A Site
    Ribosomal location where incoming tRNA recognizes and pairs with the mRNA codon.
  • P Site
    Ribosomal location where the growing polypeptide chain is attached to the tRNA.
  • E Site
    Ribosomal location where tRNA, now without an amino acid, exits the ribosome.
  • Initiator tRNA
    Special tRNA carrying methionine that starts protein synthesis by binding the start codon.
  • Start Codon
    AUG sequence on mRNA that signals the beginning of translation and recruits the ribosome.
  • Elongation Factor
    Protein, such as EF-2, that assists the ribosome in adding amino acids and moving along mRNA.
  • Release Factor
    Protein that recognizes stop codons and triggers the release of the completed polypeptide.
  • Stop Codon
    Specific mRNA sequence that signals the end of translation, leading to protein release.
  • Polypeptide Chain
    Linear sequence of amino acids linked together during translation to form a protein.
  • Shine-Dalgarno Sequence
    Prokaryotic mRNA region that aligns the ribosome for translation initiation, replacing the 5' cap.
  • Polyribosome
    Cluster of ribosomes simultaneously translating a single mRNA, increasing protein synthesis efficiency.
  • 5' Cap
    Modified nucleotide structure at the mRNA's 5' end in eukaryotes, required for ribosome binding.
  • Methionine
    Amino acid carried by the initiator tRNA, always the first incorporated during eukaryotic translation.